Men's Soccer Hosts Saint Rose in Saturday Night Showdown

Matchup	Merrimack (7-2) // Saint Rose (6-3-1)
Date/Time	Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 (7 p.m.)
Venue	Martone-Mejail Field // North Andover, Mass.
Multimedia	Watch // Live Stats // Twitter

 
 
 
 


NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College men's soccer team hopes to add their second straight home Northeast-10 Conference win as they host Saint Rose on Saturday night.

Last Time Out:

• The Warrior defense was tested early, as a New Haven shot eight minutes into the game nearly found the twine. Merrimack senior goalkeeper Tyler Packett made an incredible diving save when Pablo Perez-Gomez curled in a ball from outside the 18 yard box.
• Despite 10 fouls in the first 20 minutes of action, Merrimack didn't tally a shot on frame until the 17^th minute, when junior Kevin Esper hit a volley that sailed just above the crossbar.
• Merrimack tallied the first goal in the 53^rd minute. A bending set piece from senior Lars Sund found the far-right post to give the Warriors a one goal lead.
• Minutes later, the Chargers countered and tied the game. Junior Pablo Perez-Gomez received a pass inside the box, created an opportunity with a move outside the six, and slid it past Packett for the leveler.
• After a strong push with 12 minutes left in regulation, the Warriors retook the lead. After Merrimack forced a corner, Esper bent a ball onto the back side of the 6-yard box; junior Mirko Nufi rose up and knocked it in.
• Merrimack iced the game in the 88^th minute. On a New Haven throw-in deep in their own end, freshman Tola Showunmi stole the pass in, made a move to his left foot and beat the keeper to make it 3-1.

Mack Facts:

• Merrimack ranks 5^th in the NE10 Conference going into Saturday's matchup.
• Senior goalkeeper Tyler Packett is 2^nd in the NE10 in goals-against average (0.78); seven goals in nine games is good for 2^nd in the conference, and the senior sits fourth in the conference in save percentage (.781).
• Sophomore Filippo Begliardi Ghidini and freshman Tola Showunmi are tied for the team-lead in goals with four apiece.
•  Merrimack is averaging 2.00 goals/game while allowing only 0.78 goals/game.

Inside the Series:

• Merrimack is 17-0-1 against St. Rose, dating back to 1999.
• The Warriors have 13 shutouts in 18 games against the Golden Knights.
• Last season Merrimack defeated Saint Rose 3-1 on the road.

Scouting New Haven:

• Saint Rose ranks 7^th in the NE10 Conference standings.
• The Golden Knights are 6-3-1 on the season, and is 3-3-1 in conference action.
• The skid for Saint Rose is currently at three games, with losses against Saint Michael's, Stonehill, and Le Moyne in the last two weeks.
• Freshman Filippo Bellú leads the team in points (13), shots (27), and goals (6).

Up Next
Merrimack will have two days off before a road trip Tuesday to Manchester, taking on Saint Anselm. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Melucci Field.