he Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team (3-4-2) ended their scoreless and winless drought with a comeback 3-1 win against Susquehanna University last Wednesday. The team continued its dominance in a 3-0 win against Wilkes University last Saturday, beginning its first winning streak of the season ahead of its first conference matchup.

The Blue Jays hosted the Susquehanna University Crusaders on a slick Ira R. Herr Field last Wednesday, Sept. 25. Susquehanna entered the game with a season record of 4-2-1. The Crusaders got on the board first in the 35th minute with a goal by Susquehanna first-year Nick Fecci for his third goal of the season. The Blue Jays had their share of opportunities in the first half, including a routine ball into the box that Crusaders’ goalkeeper Matt Salsman misplayed, because he slipped on the wet grass. Despite the Blue Jays’ regaining possession behind the goalkeeper in the box, they were unable to put the ball in the net. The play eventually resulted in a Blue Jay foul.

In the second half, the Etown men’s lacrosse team, coming from practice, joined the fans in the bleachers and made a lot of noise in support of the soccer team. The change in atmosphere seemed to spark the Blue Jays’ play. In the 63rd minute, first-year forward Brent Batory scored a sliding goal, Etown’s first in 460 minutes and 12 seconds, with assists by junior David Boretti and sophomore Shane Votto. The winning goal came in the 82nd minute by Boretti, and he added a final insurance goal, four minutes later, to give Etown a late commanding lead, securing Boretti a five-point-two goal, one assist night.

Junior goalkeeper Justin Signora relieved sophomore Rodrigo Barrera when Barrera had to be carried off the field after a hard collision with an opposing player in the box.

The Blue Jays have lost only one game against Susquehanna in the team’s history. They improved their record against the Crusaders to 52-1-1, avenging their first loss to the school last season.

Three days later, Etown made the trip to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to take on Wilkes University. The Colonels entered the afternoon meeting with a record of 7-2. The game’s first half ended scoreless, but it did not lack action. All of the game’s six corner kicks were won in the first half, Etown with two and Wilkes with four. Neither team, however, was able to get on the scoreboard. The second half of play unfolded in favor of the Blue Jays.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, junior Andrew Sandridge scored his second goal of the season and Etown’s first goal of the game off of a rebound. Sandridge also played a role in Etown’s second goal less than five minutes later, assisting junior midfielder Kyle Fowler’s 30 yard goal ­— his first of the season. The Blue Jays’ third and final goal came in the 73rd minute, when sophomore Cal Graziano headed in a ball played into the box by Boretti for his first goal of the season. Boretti’s assist put him on top of the team in total points — two points for goals and one point for assists — with his two goals and three assists of the season. Both goals and two of his three assists came in the last two games. Blue Jays goalkeeper Signora recorded two saves in the win.

The Blue Jays will begin conference play in their next game against Albright College on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.