WASHINGTON, Pa -- A pair of first half goals were the the difference in a 3-1 defeat to Hiram for the Washington & Jefferson College men's soccer team on Saturday afternoon at Alexandre Stadium.

Hiram recorded the first goal in the 37th minute of play when Joseph Suarez found the sweet spot and launched it in to W&J's net. Suarez's goal was set up perfectly from a pass by Mickyas Maru. The second goal came for Hiram in the 41st minute by Ben Zuniga and was assisted by Isaac Opoku.

The Presidents started out slow offensively, only recording three shots in the first half while Hiram recorded six shots. W&J picked things up offensively in the second half as they recorded 10 shots. 

It was in the 67th minute when W&J scored their first goal to cut its deficit to one. Senior Joey Feola (Carnegie, Pa./Central Catholic) was able to score off a PK, closing the Hiram lead 2-1.

Hiram put the game away in the 83rd minute of action when Suarez set up a shot perfectly for Opoku to just squeeze the ball in the top right corner of the net.

Feola led offensively with his one goal and two shots on goal. Sophomore Claude Irankunda (Dayton, Ohio/ Spring Valley Academy) and senior Quinn Pickering (Camp Hill, Pa./ Camp Hill) each recorded one shot on goal to help the Presidents.

Senior goalkeeper Sam Miller (Lewisburg, Pa./ Lewisburg) recorded six saves in 90 minutes of action.

W&J returns to play next Saturday (Sept. 11) when they travel to Columbus, Ohio to face off against non-conference competitor Capital. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.