BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Despite what interim Head Coach Brennan McCarthy termed, "A strong overall effort," the Northampton Men's Soccer team could not overcome Delaware County Community College on Thursday, falling 2-1 at Spartan Field. 

The Phantoms got on the board first, beating goaltender James D'Amato (Tobyhanna, PA/Pocono Mt. West ) with a well-placed shot from inside the 18 to take a 1-0 lead.

Northampton answered with a highlight goal from Andrew Tinna (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock), who struck Tyler Eichelbaum (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth )'s perfect cross out of midair and found the the back of the net to tie the contest at 1-1. 

Delaware scored, what proved to be the game winner, late in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into intermission.

The second half proved to be a hard-fought, well-played 45 minutes of soccer that did not produce any scoring, but plenty of action. Both teams had opportunities to score, but neither could capitalize as the contest ended in a 2-1 victory for Delaware. 

The loss drops Northampton to 5-6-1 overall, 5-6-1 in Region XIX and 4-5 in conference play.  The Spartans picked up a victory on their record on Wednesday, as Ocean County College was forced to forfeit their 8-0 victory over Northampton earlier in the season due to the use of an ineligible player.

The Spartans are now faced with a must-win situation on Tuesday at Bucks County in order to qualify for the Region XIX playoffs.  Teams must have a .500 record overall or in Region XIX to qualify.

Delaware improves to 6-5-0 with the win.