Gatti and Lacerda Record Shots on Goal as Men's Soccer Opens ECC Play at Bridgeport
Box Score BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Sept. 19, 2015) – Graduate student Juan Gatti (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Monroe CC) and freshman Lucca Lacerda (Passos, Brazil/Monroe College) each recorded a shot on goal as the Mercy College men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision, on a goal in the 88th minute, to the University of Bridgeport in their East Coast Conference opener on Saturday night at Knights Field.
The Mavericks (2-4, 0-1 ECC) drop their second straight, while the Purple Knights (5-1, 1-0 ECC) have now won two in a row.
Sophomore Haxhi Verjoni (Cornwall, N.Y./Marlboro) added two shots and senior Luigi Puello (Queens Village, N.Y./Francis Lewis) and freshman Donovan Cesar (Jamaica, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) each fired one shot on the night. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Julio Sanchez (Henderson, Colo./Otero JC) made two saves in net to take the loss.
Luka Ivanovic scored the lone goal of the game and finished with two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Fabio Junior made two saves in earning the shutout win.
In a contest that featured limited scoring chances, the Mavericks maintained a 6-3 edge in shots as the two teams headed to the halftime break tied up at 0-0.
The second half saw the Purple Knights control most of the action as they outshot Mercy 5-1 in the period. However, neither team would be able to get on the board until the 88th minute when Ivanovic sent a long distance blast past Sanchez that gave Bridgeport a 1-0 lead, which proved to be the game-winner.
The Purple Knights ended the contest outshooting the Mavericks 8-7, while Mercy maintained an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.
Head Coach Chris Smith and the Mavericks will look to rebound as they host ECC foe Daemen College on Friday, September 25th at 4 pm.
