AMHERST, N.Y. (Sept. 10, 2022) – Powered by the game-winning goal in the 86th minute from senior Vasco Baptista (Alges, Portugal/Escola Secudaria Miraflores), the RV Mercy College men's soccer team earned a 1-0 win over Daemen University in their ECC opener on Saturday afternoon at Karrer Field.

The Mavericks (4-1-1, 1-0 ECC) have won two games in a row and win their ECC opener for the fourth straight season. Mercy also improves to 9-0 all-time against the Wildcats (2-1-1, 0-1 ECC).

Baptista scored the first goal of his collegiate career and had a team-high two shots on goal. Sophomore Eirik Elvestad (Oslo, Norway/Blindern VGS) made one save to earn the shutout win.

Daemen was led by Christian Lewin who record the Wildcats only shot on goal. Marcos Lerma Escobar made two saves to take the loss.

The contest featured just four shots on goal between the two teams with each goalkeeper making a save in the first half to keep the game scoreless at halftime.

Sophomore Joey Dos Santos (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) forced Lerma Escobar to make a save in the 59th minute, keeping the game scoreless. The game stayed at 0-0 heading into the final 10 minutes of action and a draw looked like a possibility. However, Baptista took a loose ball in front of the net and fired it home on the right side to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead in the 86th minute.

Mercy did not surrender another Daemen shot in the final minutes of play, giving the Mavericks a 1-0 road win.

Mercy held a 14-4 edge in shots and a 3-1 edge in shots on goal. The Mavericks also held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, September 14th when they host Jefferson at 3 p.m.