DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 5, 2024) – Powered by a career-high 12 saves from senior Eirik Elvestad (Oslo, Norway/Blindern VGS), the Mercy University men's soccer team earned a 0-0 draw against East Stroudsburg University in their 2024 season opener on Thursday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (0-0-1) and the Warriors (0-0-1) both open their 2024 season with draws.

Mercy was led by Elvestad who made a game-high and career-high 12 saves to earn the shutout. Sophomore Hugo Martin (Malaga, Spain/Rogers State University) had a team-high two shots on goal in his Mercy debut.

East Stroudsburg was led by Cayetano Diaz, Nathan Bradway and Ignasi Cucurella who all had three shots on goal. Helgi Hermannsson made two saves to earn the shutout.

Elvestad made his first save of the day just 1:22 into the contest and stopped six shots total in the first half to keep the game scoreless at halftime.

Elvestad stopped two more shots early in the second half to keep the score 0-0. Mercy had the game's best scoring chance in the 63rd minute when junior Johannes Hanken Tjostheim (Aalesund, Norway/Spring Hill College) drew a foul in the box, giving the Mavericks a penalty kick. Senior Julian Holland's (Tokyo, Japan/Iowa Western CC) penalty kick went just wide and the game remained scoreless.

Elvestad finished with four more saves in the second half to keep the game scoreless and the teams ended the game with a 0-0 draw.

East Stroudsburg held a 19-10 edge in shots and a 12-2 edge in shots on goal. Mercy held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Tuesday, September 10th when they play at Adelphi at 7 p.m.