BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – On the opening night of the Nate Ferraco Classic, a late Geneva handball in the box led to a penalty kick for visiting Elmhurst University, and that goal proved to be the difference in a tight and physical matchup, with the Bluejays holding on for the 1-0 victory.  Elmhurst improved to 2-2-1, while Geneva conceded a goal for the first time this season in dropping to 1-1-1.

This was the fifth annual Nate Ferraco Classic that Geneva has hosted, in memory of Geneva men's soccer player Nate Ferraco who died tragically in a car accident in 2016.  Head Coach Gary Dunda always schedules strong programs for the classic, and this year is no different.  The Golden Tornadoes will face Mount Union tomorrow on the second day of the classic, who knocked off Chatham University 2-0 in the other match today.

Elmhurst almost got on the board in the opening minute when Noah Backhaus' shot from five yards out required a tremendous quick-reflex save from junior goalkeeper Gabe Kemp (Normalville, Pa./Connellsville) to keep the game even.  The Bluejays had the better of the possession, but Geneva almost got off the board in the ninth minute when freshman Darren Main's (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) header was just pushed away by Elmhurst's goalie Noah Reed.

The Bluejays continued to have the better of the possession for the remainder of the first half, but Geneva's compact defense made it difficult for Elmhurst to penetrate, and the game reached halftime scoreless, with the Bluejays outshooting the Golden Tornadoes 8-4.

Geneva came out with the better of the play in the second half, maintaining more of the ball and pressuring the Elmhurst defensive backline, but the Golden Tornadoes couldn't find a goal.  It was Elmhurst who caught the game-deciding break in the 84^th minute when a loose ball in the Geneva box made contact with a Golden Tornado hand, and Backhaus converted the penalty kick into the game-winning goal, with Geneva unable to find an equalizer in the closing minutes.

Elmhurst finished with a 13-8 edge in shots, as well as a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal.  Kemp made four saves in the loss.

Geneva has a quick turnaround tomorrow when Mount Union arrives for the 6:00 p.m. kickoff on the grass field at Merriman Athletic Complex.


Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 145 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. Geneva has one of the top 100 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God's Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today's world. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and IACE (International Association for Christian Education).