Manchester, N.H. (August 28) - The men's soccer team dropped their season opener 2-1 to the Caldwell College Cougars Thursday afternoon at Melucci Field. The loss drops the Hawks to 0-1-0 overall, while the win improves the Cougars to 1-0-0.

The Hawks dominated the first 30 minutes of play and were the first to strike in the match. Jeff Dell'Orfano (N. Andover, Mass.) took a lead pass from Hawk captain Sam Lamptey (Worcester, Mass.) and buried it past Cougar goaltender John Plaugic (Kearney, N.J.) at the 12:39 mark to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

The Cougars bounced back to tie the game at 1-1 at the 42:56 mark as freshman forward Jonathon Costa (Mississauga, Ontario) tallied his first goal of the season.

Caldwell continued their success in the second half with a goal in the 73rd minute by Kagiso Rhenoster (Mafikeng, South Africa) as he buried the ball in the top right corner, just past the reach of Hawk goalie John Corridan (Holliston, Mass.).

The Hawks return to action Saturday, August 30th, as they will take on C.W. Post at Noon. The Cougars will return to action Saturday, August 30th, as they will take on Southern New Hampshire at 1 p.m.