TEANECK, NJ — Howard men's soccer team closed its regular season Sunday afternoon with a hard-fought 1–0 loss to top-seeded FDU at University Stadium. The Bison held the Knights scoreless through the first half before conceding the game's lone goal in the 58th minute. With the result, Howard moved to 5–11–2 overall and 3–5–1 in NEC play, while FDU improved to 11–4–3 (7–1–1 NEC).

Both defenses held firm in a tightly contested opening period. Howard generated the first on-target shot in the 10th minute when Corey James (Bethlehem, Pa.) forced a save from the Knight in goal. The Bison continued to absorb pressure and counter effectively as Liam Keiller (Gaithersburg, Md.) anchored the back line with several timely saves. Despite multiple corner kicks from the Knights, Howard's defensive unit of Troy Matingou (Round Rock, Texas), Bryson Clarke (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.), and Marshall Lloyd (Washington, D.C.) kept the hosts off the board, sending the match into a halftime stalemate at 0–0.

The Bison nearly broke through early in the second half when Onarae Rice (Greenville, S.C.) pushed a shot just wide in the 47th minute. FDU capitalized on its best chance in the 58th as they scored from close range off a pair of assists. Howard continued to press forward with efforts from Clarke and Daniil Kaban (Kharkiv, Ukraine), but the Knights held firm to preserve the clean sheet.

James and Kaban each recorded a shot on goal to lead the Bison attack. Keiller registered three saves between the posts, while Matingou and Nigel McCloud (Fayetteville, Ga.) anchored a disciplined defensive effort that limited FDU to just four shots on frame.

Howard was outshot 12–5 but matched the Knights with three saves. FDU held a 9–2 edge in corner kicks, while the Bison committed only eight fouls, well below their season average, continuing their trend as one of the league's most disciplined squads.

Howard concludes the regular season as the No. 7 seed in the NEC Tournament, marking the program's best campaign since 2010, when the Bison last finished with a .333 win percentage. This year's squad also produced several standout accomplishments, including a win over then-No. 1 Saint Francis, the second-most corner kicks in the NEC (74), and the second-most saves (95), all while committing the fewest fouls (154) in the conference.

For more information on Howard men's soccer, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.