Branco tallies three points in the victory
EASTON, Mass. (September 9, 2017) – The Stonehill men's soccer team improved to 3-1-1 after a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Mercy College on Saturday afternoon at Skyhawk Field.
Stonehill (3-1-1) saw senior Adam Branco (Naugatuck, Connecticut/Naugatuck) and sophomore Mackenzie Hoglund (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) tally the goals. Matthew Mesiti (Albany, New York/Guilderland Central) and Branco were the helpers in the game.
Mercy (2-2) saw Gaston Rozenblum register the lone goal for the Mavericks, as Lucca Lacerda recorded the assist.
The Mavericks began play with two free kicks in the opening minutes and kept the ball in their offensive third for Rozenblum to connect on a long ball for a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the game. Lacerda sent the ball from the right side of the field to Rozenblum inside the box for a one touch to the back of the net.
Stonehill wasn't far behind, as Mesiti launched a long ball from the right side of the field to inside the box for Branco to head the ball to the left corner to score the equalizer, 1-1, in the 14th minute of the game.
Both teams got off multiple shots in the beginning of the second half, but the Skyhawks were victories in the 64th minute as they made a run to their offensive third. Branco collected a pass and dribbled pass defenders to fake out the keeper and find Hoglund at the top of the six-yard box, finding the back of the net for a 2-1 advantage.
Mercy put pressure on Stonehill, but was unsuccessful, as the Mavericks totaled 19 fouls to the Skyhawks 12 throughout the game. Stonehill's defense held strong in the remaining minutes of the game, as a backline including Patrick Doherty (West Milford, New Jersey/Saint Joseph Regional) and Daniel Pereira (Norton, Massachusetts/Norton) were persistent in keeping the ball out of their defensive third.
The Skyhawks will host No. 2 Adelphi University on Tuesday, September 12 with a 4:00 p.m. start time on Skyhawk Field.
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