MIDDLETOWN, CT. – Led by forward Lucas Ruehlemann '25, the Wesleyan men's soccer team fell in non-conference action to Eastern Connecticut State University 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon from Jackson Field.

It was not for a lack of effort or trying. The Cardinals (5-4-4 overall, 2-2-4 NESCAC) pressed and maintained possession for a majority of the game, outshooting the Warriors (6-5-2 overall) 23-3 overall with an 11-1 shot on goal differential. Ruehlemann was responsible for four of those shots, with Aidan Fine '27 and Zack Burd '25 ensuring scoring attempts on net with three shots on goal apiece.

Heading into the half after 45 minutes of action, the Wesleyan defensive zone was almost unscathed. Goalkeeper Mathis Blanc '26 saw only one off-target shot and had a relatively quiet first half with no saves to show as the offense pressed down on the Warriors instead.

At 55:31 the Warriors marched down the field and were initially cut off by the Cardinals defense, but a sidestep by Rudy MacDonald gave him an empty net as the Warriors forced Blanc out to the top of the box. The Warriors took the 1-0 lead.

Refusing to let the wind be taken out of them, the Cardinals offense continued to rush the Warriors' zone with another 14 shots to the first half's nine.

Dylan Pallanck and Nathon Yeich combined for 11 saves in goal for the Warriors.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, Oct. 21, when they host Bowdoin College in a 2 p.m. NESCAC matchup at Jackson Field.