LANGHORNE, PA –  The Cairn University Men's Soccer team hosted Gophers of Goucher College in their season opener on Friday afternoon. Despite their answer, the Highlanders fell by a score of 3-1. 

Goucher (1-0) got off to an early lead, finding the back of the net in the fourth minute. Cairn (0-1) mounted a response with shots from junior forwards Jesse Brittain (Sunderland, MD / Northern HS) and Moses Beers (Lancaster, PA / Manheim Township), but were not able to find the net. The Gophers extended their lead in the 32nd minute as the half came to a close with the Highlanders down two. Early into the second half action freshman forward Alijah Miller (Monroe, NC / Homeschool) notched his first career goal, assisted by junior midfielder Caleb Rudloff (Quakertown, PA / Geneva College) in the 50th minute. Goucher answered ten minutes later, pushing the lead back to two goals. The Highlanders looked to score on three attempts but were unsuccessful as the match closed 3-1 in favor of the Gophers.

Goucher led the Highlanders in shots (15-14) while the teams tallied seven shots on goal apiece. Miller had the only goal for the Highlanders with four shots (2 on goal) and Beers had five shots, four on goal, followed Brittain with two shot. Junior goalkeeper Chris Eelman (North Haledon, NJ / Hawthorne Christian Academy) collected four saves.

The Highlanders will be back in action on Sunday as they take on the Lions of Penn State Harrisburg inside the G. Patrick Stillman Complex at 3 p.m.