DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2022) – Powered by the game-winning goal in the 12th minute of action from freshman Mateo Bacigalupo (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Colegio Cardenal Newman), off an assist from junior Carlos Fernandes (Lisbon, Portugal/Spring Hill College), the Mercy College men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over University of New Haven in their home opener on Sunday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (2-0) start 2-0 for the first time since 2018 and have now won seven straight home openers. The Chargers (0-2) remain winless on the season.

Bacigalupo scored his first collegiate goal and Fernandes added his first assist as a Maverick. Fernandes also had a team-high two shots on goal and freshman Simon Steffensen (Aalborg, Denmark/Aalborghus Gymnasium) made five saves in his collegiate debut to earn a shutout win.

New Haven was led by Dante Polletta who had three shots and by Themis Kastoris who had a game-high six saves.

Steffensen made two early saves to keep the game scoreless. Freshman Mathias Schilbred-Eriksen (Bergen, Norway/Tertnes Videregaende Skole) recorded a shot goal that was stopped by Kastoris and Fernandes followed with a shot that was also stopped by Kastoris. After the Fernandes shot was stopped, the ensuing rebound found its way to Bacigalupo who fired the ball into the right side of the net to give Mercy a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute of action.

Steffensen made two more stops in the half to keep Mercy ahead 1-0 at halftime.

Mercy had a chance to increase their lead to 2-0, but a Fernandes penalty kick was stopped by Kastoris to keep the game 1-0 in the 81st minute. Steffensen made a late save with just over a minute left to preserve the win for the Mavericks in their home opener.

Mercy held a 13-10 edge in shots and 7-5 edge in shots on goal. New Haven held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, August 31st when they play at Adelphi at 7 p.m.