GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's soccer team opened the 2025 season Friday evening by dropping a 2-0 decision to visiting Eastern Mennonite in non-conference play at Don Lyle Field. 

Eastern Mennonite (2-0) scored twice in the second half after a scoreless first half. Elijah Byrd scored at 59:06 while Hamidullah Tokhi's goal with 18 seconds left sealed the season-opening win.

Grove City outshot the Royals, 11-9, although Eastern Mennonite had a 6-5 edge in shots on goal. Grove City owned a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. 

Junior goalkeeper Anthony D'Ippolito (Mars, Pa./Eden Christian) made four saves for the Wolverines in his first collegiate start. 

Grove City returns to action next Wednesday at Carnegie Mellon. The non-conference match will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh.