RICHMOND – An own goal in the fourth minute of play proved to be insurmountable as the Earlham College men's soccer team dropped its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener 1-0 to Hanover College in Matlack-Messer Stadium. 

The Panthers put a cross into the Earlham penalty area from the left corner which was deflected by the defense into the far side of the goal. 

Earlham nearly equalled the score in the 51st minute when Quentin Berry beat the Panther defense and delivered a shot past the leaping hands of the Hanover goalkeeper, but the shot deflected off the goalpost. 

Earlham was outshot 15-9 against the squad that was picked to finish second in the HCAC preseason poll.

Antonio Paganelli led the Quakers in shots with four total and two on frame. Tyler Smith collected five saves in goal. 

Earlham will return to conference competition on Saturday at home against Mount St. Joseph University. The game will be used to honor the Quaker seniors, with senior day festivities taking place after the contest. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 pm.