Men's Soccer Knocks Off Ranked Bridgeport, 2-1 in Overtime
Box Score BOXSCORE – Mercy v. Bridgeport
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2011) – On Saturday afternoon, the Mercy College men's soccer team opened conference play in front of a home crowd against the University of Bridgeport, ranked No. 10 in the East Region by the NSCAA. The Mavericks fell behind by a goal in the first half but found an equalizer on a penalty in the second and came away with the win as time expired in the first overtime period.
The victory caps off a thrilling week for the Mavericks, as they posted a 3-0-0 record against two teams with winning records and one at .500 all by 2-1 scorelines, including two overtime victories. Their impressive display has earned them a 4-1-1 record on the season, while Bridgeport drops to 3-2.
The Purple Knights came out firing in the first half, sending a barrage of shots on goal that forced three saves of junior goalkeeper Nick Papas (Castleton, N.Y.) in just the first eight minutes. Things evened out from there but Bridgeport broke through in the 30th minute when junior forward Arnold Hitoaliaj (Tirana, Albania) slotted home a pass from freshman forward Matt Garcia (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) for the lead.
There was little action heading into the half, but just five minutes into the second senior midfielder Colin Legge (Schodack, N.Y.) took a ball into the box and was tripped by a defender. Mercy was awarded the penalty shot and Legge stepped up to bury it for the equalizer.
The game became a bit chippy as the half progressed, with three yellow card eventually being awarded, two to Bridgeport and one to Mercy, but in the meantime the Mavericks turned up the heat late, rocketing shot after shot toward goal and carrying the momentum into the overtime period.
Papas made another three saves in quick succession (he would finish with a career-high eight) before Mercy got back in control, led by junior forward William Koki (Aurora, Colo.) buzzing about in front of net, dribbling around and through several defenders on multiple plays but unable to get a clean shot off. That is, until the 100th minute, when Koki split two defenders and fired a low screamer into the right side of the net for the game-winner.
It had seemed imminent that Koki would score as involved as he was in front of the net all game, and after two shots off target he finally capitalized on his lone chance on frame. Graduate forward Ben Latchford (Birmingham, England) picked up his game after having trouble in his last match, firing four shots, one on goal, after managing little in his last match but three shots (two on goal) earlier in the week. He was credited with the assist on Koki's goal. Papas closed out an impressive week as well in which he allowed just one goal in each match while making a total of 14 saves.
Head Coach Chris Smith and the Mavericks will look to stay unbeaten in conference play next Saturday as they host Queens College. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.
