DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 20, 2024) – Despite a goal from senior Martin Penafiel (Santiago, Chile/Colegio del Verbo Divino) and a game-high six saves from senior Eirik Elvestad (Oslo, Norway/Blindern VGS), the No. 20 Mercy University men's soccer team dropped a 4-1 decision to No. 6 Southern New Hampshire University on Sunday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (6-2-4) have dropped two of their last three games, while the Penmen (10-1) have won eight games in a row.

Mercy was led by Penafiel who scored his first goal of the season and by Elvestad who made a game-high six saves to take the loss.

Southern New Hampshire was led by Martin Fuentes who had a goal and two assists. Preston Neal made two saves to earn the win.

The Penmen took a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute of play when Dani Gonzalez fired home an Iago Perez cross. The Mavericks tied the score at 1-1 in the 29th minute. Junior Johannes Hanken Tjostheim (Aalesund, Norway/Spring Hill College) was fouled in the box and Penafiel scored on the ensuing penalty kick to even the score.

Perez gave Southern New Hampshire a 2-1 lead with a goal in the 36th minute and the Penmen headed into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

Fuentes made it 3-1 in the 56th minute and Martin Zapata capped off the scoring with a goal in the 66th minute to give the Penmen a 4-1 lead. Elvestad made four more saves to keep Southern New Hampshire from scoring again and the Penmen held on for the 4-1 win.

Southern New Hampshire held a 17-9 edge in shots and a 10-3 edge in shots on goal. The Penmen also held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday when they host Queens at 3 p.m.