MANCHESTER, N.H. – The regionally-ranked Saint Anselm College men's soccer team dropped its Northeast-10 Conference match on Tuesday to Saint Michael's College, 2-1.

With the loss, the Hawks fall to 4-3 on the season with a 2-2 record in NE10 contests. Two of the three Saint Anselm losses this season have come at the hands of Saint Michael's. The Purple Knights improve to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Hawks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when No. 22 American International College comes to the Hilltop.

The Purple Knights appeared to put a goal on the board following a corner kick in the first half, but the goal was disallowed in the 38th minute.

Less than two minutes later, a handball was called on the Hawks inside their own 18-yard box, giving the Purple Knights a penalty kick. Miguel Diaz took the opportunity with his right foot and beat junior Brian Underhill (Westford, Mass.) into the bottom right of the goal, creating a 1-0 advantage for the visitors.

The Hawks entered the second half with a fast tempo that led to an equalizer in the 57th minute. Senior Zach Elliot (Manchester, N.H.) sent a throw-in toward the middle of the box which found junior Josue Assantha (Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo). Assantha lined up a right-footed shot, off of a bounce, and fired home his fourth goal of the season.

Freshman Caden Leader (Durham, N.H.) fired a long shot in the 63rd minute that just sailed over the crossbar. Had it been just a bit lower, the freshman would've given the Hawks the lead.

Saint Michael's was awarded a free kick after a hard foul in the 73th minute. Brock Martindale took the kick and sent a low liner on goal that went through numerous players for both teams and found its way into the back of the net, beating Underhill on the lower left of the goal.

With time winding down, the Hawks upped the pace and had three corner kicks in the final 10 minutes but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities.

The tightly-contested matchup saw both teams record 12 shots with Saint Michael's leading the shots on goal, 6-4. The Hawks had seven corner kicks to three for the Purple Knights.

Underhill posted four saves on six shots on goal in the losing effort. He falls to 4-3 on the season. Mathias Loft started the match for the Purple Knights and made two saves on three shots on goal. He was forced to leave the match and Ian Boudreau came on in relief, making one save. He improves to 2-1 overall.