FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's soccer team picked up a big Northeast Conference (NEC) win against Merrimack in the conference opener. Four different Pioneers scored to secure the 4-1 home victory.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-5 (1-0 NEC)
Merrimack: 2-4-1 (0-1 NEC)
Top Performers:
David Garcia Gallego: 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 shots, 3 shots on goal
Aidan Borra: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 shots, 2 shots on goal
Olliver Persson: 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Matthias Dick: 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Zach Lorenz: 1 assist
Gianluca Lanzilli: 2 shots, 1 shot on goal
Andrew Hammersley: 7 saves
Of Note:
The Pioneers battle through chilly, wet weather Sunday afternoon to beat Merrimack 4-1 for the first time in conference history.
Sacred Heart opened the scoring in the 19th minute as Gallego found the foot of
Aidan Borra, who then maneuvered around the Merrimack defenders and found the back of the net in the lower right corner of the goal. Borra's goal is his first as a Pioneer after transferring from St. John's University.
The second half saw the Pioneers put the game out of reach for the Warriors. Gallego started the half by drawing a foul in the box in the 58th minute, resulting in a penalty kick goal by
Matthias Dick.
Shortly after, Lorenz crossed the ball from the left side of the field to the foot of Gallego, who shot the ball high left for the third Pioneer goal in the 60th minute.
The Pioneers' hot streak continued in the 64th minute with a goal from Persson, assisted by Borra.
Hammersley recorded a season-high seven saves between the pipes for the Pioneers.
The Warriors' lone goal came at the 65-minute mark from Dylan Barreria, who just made it over the head of Hammersley, assisted by Ian Mackin.
Sacred Heart tallied 11 shots, eight shots on goal, and earned three corner opportunities compared to Merrimack's 15 shots, eight shots on goal and nine corners.
Up Next:
The Pioneers travel to Stonehill College on Thursday, September 28th, at 3:00 p.m. for a NEC match-up.
