| Matchup |
Merrimack (9-3, 6-3 NE10) // Franklin Pierce (6-7, 5-4 NE10) |
| Date/Time |
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (7 p.m.) |
| Venue |
Sodexo Field // Rindge, N.H. |
| Multimedia |
Watch // Live Stats // Twitter |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's soccer team will hit the road Wednesday, taking on Franklin Pierce in a matchup featuring two of the top five teams on the Northeast 10 Conference leaderboard.
Last Time Out (Loss to Adelphi, 2-1 OT):
- Both teams came out aggressive, with cards being drawn to each side in the opening ten minutes.
- One of the only true highlights of the first half on a save made by senior Tyler Packett. After a ball was played outside the 18-yard box by the Merrimack defense, a volleyed shot from 20 yards took a deflection. Although it was headed toward the left side of the net, Packett's dive took him in the right direction, and the deflection was tipped away, keeping the game scoreless.
- The Panthers nearly broke the scoring plain in the 59th minute. A shot from 25 yards off the foot of Paolo Marciano looked to be too high, but a late dive carried the ball just inches over the crossbar.
- The Panthers broke the scoring plain with just over 14 minutes left in the second half. After a ball played in by Patrick Guier, Tommy Speed slid inside the 18 and flicked a shot up and over Packett for the score.
- Merrimack nearly answered the goal with scores of its own. Senior Sergio Martinez took a shot from 30 yards out that whistled just past the crossbar; seconds after, sophomore Filippo Begliardi Ghidini rung the post, but couldn't put the ball in the net.
- The Warriors tied the game with less than five minutes left in the second half. After a loose ball inside the 18, an un-cleared ball was tapped in by freshman Tola Showunmi to level the score.
- With seven minutes left in overtime, Adelphi took the win. James Thirstino finished a pass inside the box for the third and final goal of the game.
Mack Facts:
- The Warriors have produced six shutout victories through the midway point of the season.
- Each of the Warriors' last eight goals have been scored in the second half.
- Sophomore Filippo Begliardi Ghidini leads the Warriors with five goals and eleven total points.
Inside the Series:
- The Warriors are 3-1 against the Ravens in the last two years, including a 3-2 victory in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
- Last year, Merrimack shut out Franklin Pierce in both matchups. The Warriors won the first game 1-0, and the second contest 2-0.
- Merrimack sits fourth in the conference standings, while the Ravens sit in fifth.
Scouting Franklin Pierce:
- The Ravens enter Wednesday's game coming off a big win against Southern New Hampshire.
- Franklin Pierce has posted a record of 4-3 at home this season.
- Yannik Felber has been the most dangerous player for the Ravens this season, recording five goals and three assists in his sophomore campaign.
Up Next
The Warriors will head south on Saturday to take on Southern Connecticut under the lights; game time is set for 7 p.m.
