Flynn Gives Men's Soccer Edge in 1-0 Win Over Chestnut Hill
Box Score DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 5, 2013) – Junior winger Ryan Flynn (Valley Stream, N.Y.) scored the first goal of the season as the Mercy College men's soccer team shut out Chestnut Hill College, 1-0, in the Mavericks' season opener on Thursday afternoon.
Mercy starts the season 1-0-0 while Chestnut Hill is now 0-1.
The Mavericks dictated play throughout the chippy game as the teams combined for 33 fouls, but the Griffins had several chances over the 90 minutes. Mercy outshot Chestnut Hill, 14-11, but neither team could capitalize on its opportunities, putting just four and two shots on target, respectively.
Chestnut Hill held the early edge, getting off a shot and earning two corner kicks against the Mavericks' inexperienced defense. Mercy did not get its first positive offensive result until 21 minutes into the match, when the Mavericks finally won a corner. Even so, the Mavericks pushed the ball deep into their opponents' territory nearly every possession via a slew of through balls to their wingers.
Mercy's attacking presence paid dividends in the 26th minute as sophomore forward Christian Diaz (Watsonville, Calif.) centered a ball from the edge of the box and Flynn pounced on it, just slotting it past freshman goalkeeper James Jackson (Sewell, N.J.) to give Mercy the 1-0 lead.
The Mavericks locked in after taking the lead, allowing just a last-minute shot on goal on which senior goalkeeper Nick Papas (Castleton, N.Y.) needed little effort to stop. On offense, Mercy nearly got on the board again in the 36th minute, when freshman forward Michael Ledesma (Miami Beach, Fla.) smashing a shot off the crossbar from well outside the box.
Both teams continued to press forward after the break, but Mercy maintained control and, although each team forced the opposing keeper to make a pair of saves in the second half, the Mavericks had the better chances. Although Mercy could not punch another goal through, Chestnut Hill was unable to overcome the deficit and the Mavericks picked up the shutout victory.
Head Coach Chris Smith and the Mavericks will head to Smith's alma mater, Southern Connecticut State, in the Owls' season opener on Saturday, Sept. 7.
