Troast matches career-high seven saves for the third time
Chieffo chipped in two crosses to help set up shots |
NORTH ANDOVER, Massachusetts (September 25, 2018) –The Stonehill College men's soccer contained Northeast-10 Conference foe Merrimack College in the second half, as the Warriors topped the Skyhawks 1-0 Tuesday night on Martone-Mejail Field.
Stonehill (3-4-1, 2-3 NE10) saw junior goalkeeper Billy Troast match a career-high seven saves for the third game in the five games he has played.
Merrimack had two early opportunities as they shifted the ball in their defensive third and lifted it into it to their attacking third with ease for a shot that sailed high and then a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Troast. Stonehill's defense continued to stand strong, until the Warriors' Filippo Begliardi Ghidini collected a pass in the right channel to put the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead at 11:20 in the first half.
Stonehill drew a foul on the right side of the 18-yard box for a cross from Ryan Chieffo to set up an opportunity, but he wasn't able to get the ball up as Merrimack cleared the ball. In the 31st minute, the Skyhawks tried capitalizing on another free kick that was placed on the right side of the 18-yard box. Chieffo sent a cross into the box and Eben Degbor struck the ball from the left just missing the right post for a missed opportunity. At the end of the first half, Merrimack held the shot advantage, 8-4.
Degbor registers one of Stonehill's six shots |
Merrimack's strikers continued to put pressure on Stonehill's defenders as they were quick to react to any passed ball or switched field, as the Warriors once again outshot the Skyhawks 7-2 for a 15-6 total. The Warriors attempted to put another tally on the board as they saw four corner kicks in the second half, but the Skyhawks were able to fend off the attackers in the box. Merrimack's defenders stopped Stonehill from getting to their attacking third as they were only able to connect on two shots.
Stonehill continues its three-game road trip, as it travels to Albany, New York to face NE10 foe College of Saint Rose on Saturday, September 29 with a start time of 4:00 p.m. at Plumeri Sports Complex.
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