Men's Soccer Downs Caldwell 3-1 in Season Opener
Men's Soccer Defeats Caldwell 3-1 in 2014 Season Opener
Links: Box Score
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's soccer team opened up the 2014 season at Martone-Mejail Field with an eye-opening 3-1 victory over Caldwell University in their first game of the Marriott Kickoff Classic.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 3, Caldwell 1
Records: Merrimack (1-0) | Caldwell (0-1)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.
How It Happened
The Warriors controlled possession early and often, asserting control over the visiting Cougars. In the 22nd minute junior Augusto Silva (Hudson, Mass.) received a pass from senior Michael Rincon (Medford, Mass.) at the top of the box and pocketed the ball into the left of the net to begin the scoring.
Caldwell would answer a few minutes later though, breaking through on the counter attack. Christian Castro struck the ball from 20 yards out, placing it perfectly over goalkeeper Jose Silva (Northborough, Mass.). Silva finished the game with one save and earned his first win of 2014.
The Navy and Gold came alive in the second half. Six minutes into the second stanza sophomore Joseph Briers (Lincolnshire, England) was the recipient of beautiful build-up play. Briers found the ball six yards out and headed into the back of the net to make it 2-1. Substitute Alexander Alleyne (Swampscott, Mass.) put the icing on the cake with less than five minutes to go. Alleyne headed a perfectly placed cross by Ryan Miller (Holden, Mass.) into the top netting to make it 3-1.
Inside The Numbers
- A. Silva pocketed his first goal of 2014 after leading the team with four goals and 11 points last season. Silva started the game at striker but shifted back into the midfield as the game went on
- Rincon displayed superior quickness and athleticism throughout the night. In addition to his helpers, Rincon contributed two shots.
- Briers and Alleyne both had two goals in the entirety of 2013, and now are halfway to equaling those totals after one game in 2014.
- Sophomore transfer Jaime Cortes Torres (Seville, Spain) had a strong debut, tying for the team lead with five shots.
- Merrimack outshot Caldwell 31-3 in shots and 12-2 in shots on goal.
Up Next
Merrimack wraps up play in the Marriott Kickoff Classic Saturday afternoon when they face Dominican at 4 p.m. Last season the Navy and Gold fell to the Chargers 1-0 in the 2013 season opener.
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