Box Score SALEM, W. VA. – Nicholas Collins pulled Salem University within a goal early in the second half, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers fell to Bloomsburg University 3-1 in NCAA Division II men's soccer Friday at Catalano Stadium. The contest was the season opener for both teams.
 
Salem (0-1) struck less than three minutes after Bloomsburg built a two-goal advantage. Jordan Lau crossed the ball from the left corner to the far post and Collins chipped it in to pull the Tigers within 2-1 in the 59th minute.
 
Bloomsburg added an insurance goal in the 70th minute when Michael Bazadona played a ball into the box to Carter Luckenbaugh, whose shot found the right side of the goal.
 
The Tigers created numerous challenges in the final eight minutes of the match, but could not get the ball in the back of the net. Just one minute after Gianluca Calvosa's cross was stopped by the Bloomsburg goalkeeper, Calvosa followed with a long-range shot that was just wide to the left. Siya Mfusi and Andrew Tarus also had shot opportunities in the final minutes.
 
Salem earned a corner kick in the 89th minute and service got past the keeper, but the Tigers' shot attempt was wide.
 
Bloomsburg (1-0) broke a scoreless tie in the 24th minute when Kacper Grypel played a ball over the top of the Salem defense. Tyler Madeira finished with a 15-yard left-to-right shot and the Huskies went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
 
An offside call nullified a Huskies goal in the 56th minute, but a Salem turnover in its own third less than a minute later led to an open shot by Madeira to extend Bloomsburg's lead to 2-0. Collins answered with his goal for Salem, but the Tigers could get no closer.
 
Luis Felipe Ramirez finished with two saves in goal for Salem, while Nolan Michaels finished with one save for Bloomsburg. The Huskies held a narrow 15-13 shot advantage.
 
Salem returns to action Tuesday as the Tigers travel to Jefferson City, Tenn., to take on Carson-Newman University. Match time is 2 p.m.