Gwynedd Valley, P.A. – The Mount Saint Mary College Men's Soccer team won its first game of the season on Friday afternoon as the Knights defeated Gwynedd Mercy 1-0 in the season opener. Senior Joseph Bacalhau (Woodbridge, N.J.) scored the game-winner just after halftime to secure the Knights first win of the 2019 campaign.
 
Neither team could get much offense going in the first half as neither team had a shot on goal during the first 45 minutes. The Mount held a 6-0 advantage in shots on goal as well as a 7-0 edge in corner kicks before halftime.
 
After an early second half Joey Dolan (Highland, N.Y.) shot missed wide, Bacalhau found the back of the net in the 48^th minute to give the Knights the game-winner. Tyler Rapp stopped the lone shot of the game for the Griffins at the 67^th minute mark to secure the lead.
 
Dolan finished the game with a game-high six shots as Bacalhau, Joseph Mesoraca (Oceanside, N.Y.) and Matt Wyant (Beacon, N.Y.) finished with the three shots on goal for the Knights. Rapp picked up his first victory of the season with a clean sheet and made one save on the night. Mike Bernstein finished with the lone shot for Gwynedd Mercy and Tyler Blair took the tough luck loss in goal as he made two saves in the contest.
 
The Mount finished the evening with a 16-1 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in shots on goal. The Knights also finished the night with an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.
 
At 1-0-0 on the season, the Knights return to action on the road against Vassar on Sunday night. Kick-off with the Brewers is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.