Late Goal Powers #15 Men's Soccer Past Caldwell, 2-1, in Season Opener Friday Night
Links: Box Score | Lars Sund Interview | Tony Martone Interview
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Freshman Lars Sund (Stavanger, Norway) scored with 10 minutes remaining in regulation to not only tally his first career goal, but score the game-winning goal as the 15th-ranked Merrimack College men's soccer team defeated Caldwell University, 2-1, on Friday night in the Merrimack Kickoff Classic from Martone-Mejail Field.
The Basics
Score: #15 Merrimack 2 | Caldwell 1
Records: #15 Merrimack (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) | Caldwell (0-1, 0-0 CACC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass
How It Happened
Fast forward to the second half and the Warriors were peppering the Caldwell net with shots looking for the go-ahead tally. In the 76th minute sophomore defender sophomore defender Mattia Lanzi (Viterbo, Italy) sent a low, skidding shot off the far post to keep the game tied at a goal apiece.
Minutes later, Sund netted the game-winner. Junior forward Alexander Alleyne (Swampscott, Mass.) collected a lofted ball and sent a pass to the direction of Sund, who side stepped a defender and used a left-footed shot to put Merrimack up for good.
Caldwell made it interesting late, orchestrating two corner kicks in the final 30 seconds, but on the final one sophomore goalkeeper Lucas Rezende (Weymouth, Mass.) punched the ball away from danger to eliminate any chance of a Cougars' comeback. Rezende made one save for his first victory of the season and second of his career.
In the first half, Merrimack started the season strong as the Warriors record three shots in the first six minutes, including two from Lanzi who nearly put a volleyed attempt into the top netting, but sent it just high.
It didn't take much longer for the Navy and Gold to capitalize, as Merrimack's leading scorer from last season Augusto Silva (Hudson, Mass.) pocketed his first shot of the year into the bottom-right netting to make it 1-0 in the ninth minute. Sund slid a pass behind the defense that Silva ran onto for his first career assist.
Merrimack controlled the game for the majority of the opening half, outshooting the Cougars by nine shots and totaling four corner kicks.
After going nearly the whole opening half without a shot on goal, Caldwell scored on a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Senior Christian Castro sent a low attempt towards the right side and found the back of the net to make it 1-1 entering halftime.
The game certainly had its physical moments as seven players were booked for yellow cards, including Julio Leon Garcia (Caracas, Venezuela) and Patrick Jennings (Llandudno, Wales) for the Warriors.
Inside The Numbers
- On the game-winning goal, Alleyne picked up his first assist of the season, and first since his freshman campaign. Last year as a sophomore, Alleyne recorded five goals without collecting any helpers
- Rezende's night was quiet in net as the Warriors outshot Caldwell 21-4. The Navy and Gold put seven of their 21 shots on net, with the Caldwell keeper collecting five saves. Caldwell did attempt eight corners compared to Merrimack's nine
- In addition to Sund, four other Warriors made their debuts with the programs. Jennings, William Marcal (Worcester, Mass.), Sergio Martinez (Tampico, Mexico) and Todd Righini (Salem, N.H.) all wore the Merrimack uniform for the first time on Friday night
- Sophomore Juan Meza (Cali, Colombia) joined Lanzi and Silva with four shots to lead the team. Silva and Lund targeted two shots on goal to pace the Warriors
Up Next
The Warriors conclude play in the Merrimack Kickoff Classic on Sunday afternoon when they take on Post University at 3 p.m. from Martone-Mejail Field.
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