SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Powered by a goal and an assist from sophomore Santiago Dutilh (Santiago, Chile/Everest School) and junior Pau Ramon (Santa Ponca, Spain/Southeastern CC), the Mercy University Men's Soccer Team earned a 3-1 win at American International College on Wednesday night at Ronald J. Abdow Field.
The Mavericks (6-5-5) move over .500 on the year and are 4-0-2 in their last six games. Mercy wins at the Yellow Jackets (2-8-4) for the first time under Head Coach Pedro Velazquez.
The match began with the Mavericks taking the initiative early in the first half. In the 8th minute, sophomore Herman Borke (Asker, Norway/Doenski Videregaaende Skole) capitalized on a well-placed corner kick, assisted by Ramon, to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. Junior Mateo Sanchez (Anderson, S.C./Converse University) played a key role in maintaining the advantage with several crucial saves, including stopping shots from Joseph Albano and Fernando Ramirez.
Throughout the half, the Mavericks managed to thwart the Yellow Jackets' efforts to level the score. Despite consistent pressure from the Yellow Jackets, the Mavericks ended the first half with a 1-0 lead, demonstrating effective defense and maintaining their advantage into the break.
The second half began with the Mavericks applying significant pressure, highlighted by a series of shots from senior Nicolás Cerda (Santiago, Chile/Andree English School) and junior Mario de Roque Zazón (Zaragoza, Spain/Newman University). Despite an early flurry of attempts, the breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Ramon found the back of the net, assisted by Dutilh, extending the Mavericks' lead to 2-0.
The Mavericks continued to press forward, and their efforts were rewarded in the 79th minute as Dutilh scored with an assist from Sanchez, making it 3-0. A late goal by the Yellow Jackets' Max Lernell in the 89th minute reduced the deficit, but Mercy maintained control to close out the game with a 3-1 victory.
Ramon scored one goal and added an assist, contributing significantly to the team's success. Sanchez played a crucial role in goal, recording four saves in 80 minutes of action to earn the win. Borke found the back of the net with his only shot. Dutilh also made an impact, scoring one goal and assisting on another. Senior Daniel Alvarez (Elmsford, N.Y./Alexander Hamilton) played the final 10 minutes in goal to preserve the win. Ramon now has three goals and one assist on the year, Dutilh has two goals and two assists this season and Borke netted his first goal of the year. Sanchez recorded his first career assist.
Muratti recorded five saves while facing 17 shots in his appearance. Smith contributed with an assist and led the team in shots with three attempts. Lernell found the back of the net with his only shot of the game, registering a goal.
Mercy held a 17-11 edge in shots, an 8-5 edge in shots on goal and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
In their next game, the Mavericks will travel to face D'Youville University on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. at Buffalo, N.Y.
