Sacred Heart
2-3-3, 0-0-1
Merrimack
2-2-4, 0-0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Merrimack | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Pios Conference Opener Ends in 1-1 Draw
9/19/2026 8:48:00 PM | Men's Soccer
SHU struck first and early, Merrimack following close behind for a scoreless second half
Records:
Sacred Heart: (2-3-3, 0-0-1 Metro)
Merrimack: (2-2-4, 0-0-1 Metro)
Top Performers:
1. Anthony Suarez - 7 saves
2. Ivan Morcillo - 1 goal, 3 shots on goal
3. Daniel Pineda - 1 assist
Between the Pipes:
SHU: Anthony Suarez (1-3-3) - 1 goal against | 7 saves
Merrimack: Matteo Malaguti - 1 goal against | 3 saves
How it Happened:
Sacred Heart wasted little time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. Morcillo finished a feed from Pineda to give the Pioneers the early advantage.
Merrimack responded in the 12th minute when Salvatore Zani scored off an assist from Rocco DelGiudice, leveling the match at 1-1.
The Pioneers continued to create opportunities throughout the opening half, with Morcillo, Brady Poor and Alvaro Moreno each recording shots. Poor nearly put Sacred Heart back in front in the 27th minute, but his attempt hit the woodwork.
After the halftime break, both teams battled for the go-ahead goal. Sacred Heart recorded four shots in the second half, including attempts from Poor and Morcillo that were saved by Merrimack goalkeeper Matteo Malaguti.
Suarez kept the Pioneers level with several key stops in the second half, including saves on Merrimack's Ziad Barakat in the 77th and 82nd minutes.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the final minutes, as the Pioneers and Warriors settled for a 1-1 draw. Sacred Heart finished with 10 shots, four of which were on goal, while Merrimack recorded 12 shots and eight on target. The Warriors held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Up Next:
The Pios are back at home on Saturday, September 26, hosting Saint Peter's and honoring the senior class.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Ivan Morcillo (2)
Assisted By: Daniel Pineda Diaz
GOAL by SHU Morcillo, Ivan Assist by Pineda Diaz, Daniel.
04:14
Salvatore Zani (1)
Assisted By: Rocco DelGiudice
GOAL by MC Zani, Salvatore Assist by DelGiudice, Rocco.
11:45
