Immaculata, PA – Cairn University men's soccer dropped a close 2-1 game to Immaculata University on Saturday afternoon and will just miss out on CSAC playoffs. The Highlanders finished their season with an 8-9-1 overall record and 4-5 record in the conference.
 
The Highlanders' conference record ties Keystone's but the Giants hold the tiebreaker by defeating the Highlanders head-to-head.
 
Cairn was unlucky in the game on Saturday to give up a penalty kick to the Mighty Macs in the first minute of the game. Immaculata converted on the opportunity and took the early 1-0 lead.
 
Paul Franco (Sparks, MD) tied the game at 1-1 for the Highlanders in the 13th minute with a header off a Craig Kikendall (Philadelphia, PA) free kick. The goal was Franco's third of the season and put the Highlanders back in playoff contention—a tie would have put Cairn into postseason as well as a win.
 
Throughout the first half, Cairn led on shots 8-3 and forced Immaculata to make five saves. In the second half, Immaculata held the slight advantage on shots 6-4 and was able to convert on one of them.
 
The Mighty Macs took the lead in the 64th minute with Alex Noel's second goal of the game. Noel hit a bouncing ball from outside of the box over the head of Mike Warren (East Meadow, NY) and into the far post for the winner.
 
The Highlanders had a few chances throughout the rest of the game but the Mighty Mac's defense was able to keep Cairn away from the goal. Frustration began to set in for the Highlanders late in the game and too many fouls were committed with the ball.
 
In total, Cairn had 12 shots to Immaculata's nine; the Franco led the Highlanders with three. Kikendall, Kenneth Mercadante (Toms River, NJ), and Connor Eby (Kansas City, MO) each had two shots.
 
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Cairn men's soccer had one of their best seasons in recent history. The Highlanders went from 2-13-1 last season to 8-9-1 in 2015. Hopefully they will continue to build and return stronger next season.