NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The Mount Saint Mary College men's soccer team tied Merchant Marine in a hard-fought duel.
 
The Basics
Score: Mount Saint Mary College 2, Merchant Marine 2
Records: Mount Saint Mary College (5-3-5, 2-1-3 Skyline) | Merchant Marine (7-3-3, 4-1-2)
 
Rapid Recap
Mount Saint Mary hosted one of the top teams in the Skyline this evening in Merchant Marine. The Mariners showed just why in the opening 20 minutes of the game, getting 4 shots off with 2 on goal. In the 21st minute, USMMA would convert on a header across the box to open up the scoring in this contest. This quickly woke the Knights up, who had an explosion of offense starting just a minute later in the 22nd minute. A two-man game with Marco Mazzarelli and TJ Mark stunned the Mariners' defense as a give-and-go led to Mazzarelli tying the game up with his left foot. 90 seconds later, Mazzarelli would be the one to find Mark this time, who faked out his defender and launched a bomb over the keeper to take a 2-1 lead. Mount Saint Mary was all over the field in the last part of the first half, proving that they were not a team to be messed with this year.

Merchant Marine turned things around to start the second half, pressing the Knights' back line and coming away with results in an instant. They tied the game up in the 55th minute and looked to tack on another. The Mount leaned on senior goalie Noah Horn, who provided some clutch saves and key plays on crosses to hold a high-powered Merchant Marine team at bay. The Knights struggled to get very many offensive chances in the second half, but nearly came away with a goal off a skying header from Sam Bevevino that was just saved. The atmosphere at Kaplan Field felt like a playoff game as both teams desperately tried to come away with a victory. Ultimately, the game would end in a 2-2 draw as Mount Saint Mary holds the 5th spot in the Skyline Conference standings.

Notes and Numbers

• Marco Mazzarelli and TJ Mark: 1 goal, 1 assist
• Noah Horn: 7 saves