LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The last time Sacred Heart traveled to Rider, the trip ended in heartbreak — a 1-0 overtime loss in the first round of the 2024 MAAC Tournament that cut the Pioneers' season short. Fast forward a year, and the story couldn't have been more different. The Pios returned to Lawrenceville with purpose, avenging that loss with a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Ben Cohen Field, a win that also clinched the No. 1 seed in the MAAC Tournament.
Records:
Sacred Heart (8-3-4) (7-0-2 MAAC)
Rider (1-11-4) (0-6-3 MAAC)
Top Performers:
Carlos Gonzalez Palau- 1 goal, 1 shot on goal
Ivan Morcillo- 1 goal, 3 shots on goal
Danny Istambouli - 1 assist
Between the Pipes:
SHU: Luca Marinelli (W 8-1-3) - 1 goal-against | 4 saves
RIDER: Marius Helias - 2 goals-against | 6 saves
How it Happened:
The Pioneers wasted no time setting the tone. In just the 12th minute, sophomore Ivan Morcillo continued his standout season, striking for his fifth goal of the year to put Sacred Heart in front 1-0. Morcillo found space near the top of the box and calmly buried his chance past the Rider keeper, giving the Pios an early boost and control of the match's tempo.
Rider looked to respond quickly, and senior goalkeeper Luca Marinelli was called into action in the 21st minute. The veteran keeper read the play perfectly, diving low to stop a dangerous shot from Xavi Csato that was headed for the bottom corner. But just minutes later, in the 26th, the Broncs found their equalizer when Lovro Kostanjšek finished a well-placed cross from Ricardo Joasilus to even the match at 1-1.
Both sides traded chances throughout the remainder of the first half and deep into the second, with the Pioneers pushing the pace and creating several dangerous looks off corners and long runs through the midfield. The breakthrough finally came in the 82nd minute. After a patient build-up, Danny Istambouli slipped a precise pass into the box where Carlos Gonzalez Palau was waiting. Gonzalez Palau didn't hesitate—he fired a clinical shot past the outstretched keeper to give Sacred Heart a 2-1 lead in the closing minutes.
The Pios' defense and Marinelli stood tall the rest of the way, turning aside Rider's late surge to secure the hard-fought victory.
Sacred Heart controlled much of the match statistically, outshooting the Broncs 14-9, including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal, and dominating in corner kicks 13-4.
Of Note:
Up Next:
Sacred Heart will host local rival Fairfield University in the regular season finale at Park Ave Field on Wednesday November 5th at 7pm.
