Men's Soccer Edged by Lock Haven in Overtime, 2-1
Box Score BOXSCORE – Mercy vs. Lock Haven
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 18, 2011) – On Tuesday afternoon the Mercy College men's soccer team hosted Lock Haven looking to pick up a confidence boost after another heartbreaking loss to C.W. Post over the weekend. After falling behind early, the Mavericks pulled back into the match and looked ready to come away with the victory, but the Bald Eagles found a breakaway goal in the first overtime period to leave with the victory.
With the loss Mercy's record drops to 5-8-1 overall, while Lock Haven improves to 8-6.
Mercy had trouble holding possession early in the game but still managed a few attempts on goal, including a blistering strike that was cleared off the goal line by a Lock Haven defender. The Bald Eagles quickly countered with a goal in the 20th minute from senior midfielder Kevin Wolfe (Lancaster, Pa.), who picked the ball up just past midfield, beat several defenders dribbling up the middle and finally struck a rocket toward the far post that junior goalkeeper Nick Papas (Castleton, N.Y.) had no chance of getting to.
Down 1-0, Mercy slowly fought back into the match, holding possession and matching up on passes as the half wore down and the second began. Besides the occasional Lock Haven breakaway, several of which ended in impressive saves by Papas, the Mavericks took control of the game pushing for the equalizer. They found it in the 64th minute when graduate student forward Ben Latchford (Birmingham, England) drew a penalty kick after some hard work in the box and senior back Colin Legge (Schodack, N.Y.) converted for his fifth goal of the year.
As the second half wore on, each team made several dangerous plays in their attacking third but it was the Mavericks who came closest to taking the lead, forcing another defender save after a rebound on a free kick in the 85th minute.
Lock Haven pushed the attack harder in the overtime period, getting several breakaway chances on through passes and nearly scoring early had it not been for a sliding clearance by senior defender Bujar Lajqi (Bronx, N.Y.). The Bald Eagles eventually got the game-winner, however, when Wolfe weighted a perfect pass ahead of freshman forward Kyle Winey (Mifflintown, Pa.), who chipped it past the onrushing Papas for the win.
Papas ended the afternoon with five saves in net, while freshman goalkeeper Brad Sumski (Harrisburg, Pa.) made one for the Bald Eagles.
Head Coach Chris Smith and the Mavericks (5-8-1 overall, 1-4 in the ECC) will celebrate Senior Day this Sunday as they host Molloy College (1-12-1, 0-4-1). Lajqi, Latchford and Legge will be honored along with Keith Dillon, Mark Guerrero, Lamine Seck and Martin Walsh. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
