Germantown, Md. (9/13/23) The Dominican University New York men's soccer team dropped their non-conference match up with the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia this afternoon. 

The Chargers scored the first two goals of the game in the first half but the Firebirds fought their way back to edge Dominican by a score of 3-2. 

The Chargers fall to 0-4 overall after the loss while UDC improves to 2-2-1 overall. 

Goalkeeper Marcos Penaherrera (Campbell Hall, N.Y.) made nine total saves in the game but suffered the loss. UDC goalkeeper Sergio Becerra secured the win and made two saves. 

Guilherme Pirana (Jundiai, Brazil) scored both Dominican goals in the opening half less than ten minutes apart. Griffin Van Cott (Goshen, N.Y.) recorded his second assist of the season on the first goal and Derek Martinez (Bronx, N.Y.) earned the assist on the second goal which was his first of the season. 

UDC answered back late in the first half to cut the deficit to one after Mustafa Tahir scored an unassisted goal at the 36:17 mark. 

The score remained 2-1 until the 59:38 mark when Axel Gamez tied the game. In the 81st minute, Liam Thompson scored to give UDC the 3-2 advantage and would end up being the game-winning goal. Zachary Parker assisted the goal. 

Pirana led the way in shots for Dominican with four and all four were recorded on goal. Axel Gamez finished with a game-high five shots. 

The Chargers will look to bounce back this Saturday when they open conference play on the road against Georgian Court University at 2:30 PM.