GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Powered by a game-high two goals from junior Johannes Hanken Tjostheim (Aalesund, Norway/Spring Hill College) and five saves from senior Eirik Elvestad (Oslo, Norway/Blindern VGS), the Mercy University men's soccer team earned a 2-0 win over RV Adelphi University on Tuesday night at Motamed Field.

The Mavericks (1-0-1) earn their first win of the season and defeat the Panthers (1-1-1) for the first time since 2021. Adelphi entered the game receiving votes nationally and were ranked fourth in the East Region in the United Soccer Coaches Polls.

Mercy was led by Hanken Tjostheim who recorded his first two goals of the season. Senior Martin Penafiel (Santiago, Chile/Colegio del Verbo Divino) dished out his first assist of the season and Elvestad made five saves to earn his second shutout of the season.

Adelphi was led by Rory Duggan who had two shots and a shot on goal. Santiago Arango made five saves to take the loss.

Penafiel and senior Julian Holland (Tokyo, Japan/Iowa Western CC) recorded the game's first two shots on goal in the 19th and 24th minutes of action with Arango making a pair of saves to keep the game scoreless.

The game remained scoreless until the 43rd minute when Hanken Tjsotheim scored, off a Penafiel assist, to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Adelphi recorded their lone shot of the half in the 44th minute.

The score remained 1-0 until the 54th minute when Hanken Tjostheim fired home his second goal of the night after sophomore Hugo Martin (Malaga, Spain/Rogers State University) had his stopped by Arango.

Elvestad made five saves in the second half to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard and Mercy came away with the 2-0 road win.

Mercy held a 12-11 edge in shots and a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. Adelphi held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Friday, September 13th when they play at Staten Island in their ECC opener at 1 p.m.