(September 5, 2009) HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA – The Hampden-Sydney soccer team opened up their home portion of the schedule today with a 2-1 victory over the Shenandoah Hornets in the first game of the Hampden-Sydney Soccer Classic.

The action was fast paced from the start, with both squads having early opportunities. Throughout the half, however, Hampden-Sydney's midfield was able to control possession and put several scoring chances together. In the 33rd minute, sophomore Bryan Wharton (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) had an excellent chance but was stopped on a diving save by the Hornets goalkeeper. Undeterred, less than a minute later Wharton took a perfectly placed ball from freshman Nick Deprospero (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) and blasted home a strike to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. The assist was Deprospero's second in as many games.

The first half ended with Hampden-Sydney having a 1-0 cushion, but it was increased eight minutes into the second half on a goal by junior Matt Swaney (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls). Following a Shenandoah foul, junior Matt Hampton (Virginia Beach, VA/Kellam) sent a beautiful free kick into the box, where Swaney was able to outleap the defender and head it home, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

Shenandoah would not give up, however, and answered back with a goal of their own only moments later. The Hornets' Adam Aldinger was able to get his head on a pass from Kyle Farrell and into the upper corner of the net to bring the Hornets within one. The Tigers defense, led by junior Sam Turner (Richmond, VA/Benedictine), responded by ratcheting up their intensity and locking down and further opportunities for the Hornets. Junior goalkeeper John Robert Plyler (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park) made sure nothing else got into the net, finishing the day with four saves. On the day, the Tigers outshot Shenandoah 16-13.

With the win, Hampden-Sydney improves to 2-0-0, and will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, September, 6 at Miller Field as they take the field in the final contest of the Hampden-Sydney Soccer Classic. The Tigers will play the Mustangs of Stevenson University, who today fell to Lynchburg by a score of 4-0. Kickoff for the game is set for 2:30.