Men's Soccer Comes Up Short Against Elon

Links: Box Score

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Merrimack men's soccer battled through the season opener against the Elon Phoenix in North Carolina, coming up short with a late game challenge on Friday night.

The Basics
Score: Merrimack Warriors 1, Elon Phoenix 2
Records: Merrimack (0-1-0, 0-0-0 NEC) | Elon (1-0-0, 0-0-0 CAA)
Location: Koskinen Stadium | Durham, N.C. | Duke University

The Summary

• Merrimack had a lead early in the match, as Stefano Pesenti lifted the ball of the Elon defender 20 yards out, cutting in through the defense to finish to the low right as the goalkeeper came out to cut off the angle.
• The Warriors peppered the Phoenix in the end of the first half, with a string of four corner kicks. Mirko Nufi's attempt in the 42^nd minute was cleared off the line by a defender, with Trym Kyvaag's challenge a minute later was kicked out by the goalkeeper to hold Merrimack with one goal.
• Elon pushed the pace late in the match, breaking through late. The Phoenix tied the game in the 78' before carrying the momentum over for a second goal in the 81' to complete the comeback.  

Stats & Figures

• Goalkeeper Alvaro Rodriguez faced 12 shots and five shots on goal in his collegiate debut for the Warriors.
• In addition to Pesenti's shot for a goal, Frantz Pierrot posted two shots on target and Nehemie Lamtoukou posted a shot on goal.
• Six players made their debuts for the Warriors in the contest, as Rodriguez made his first start in goal, with Michael Koralishn, Tilman Scinzel, Johan Feilscher, Donny Williams and James Poschmann subbed on for their debuts.

Up Next
Merrimack will return to Koskinen Stadium to face Duke University on Sunday, August 29 at noon, with the game available on ESPN+ streaming. 

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