Men's Soccer Defeats NEC Leading LIU in Rain-Soaked Affair

NORTH ANDOVER MA, 

The Merrimack College Warriors notched their 5th win of the season, their 2nd in conference with a very competitive 1-0 victory over the conference leading Long Island University Sharks, on Thursday night on a cold, drenched Martone-Mejail Field.

The Rundown 

Merrimack: 1 (5-5-2, 2-1-1) LIU: 0 (9-3-1, (3-1-1)

Merrimack started the night very strong when Juri Schlingmann's rising effort went just over the bar at the 3:45 mark of the first half. What's than a minute later, the Warriors found their breakthrough and the goal that would eventually become the game winner, when Stefano Pesenti's effort hit the post and the ball ricocheted to Schlingmann who put the ball into the back of the net to give the Warriors the early advantage at just under 5 minutes.

After taking the lead Merrimack continued to pelt the LIU goaltender with shots recording 11 attempts in the half, with four being on target. 

In the Second half, Alvaro Rodriguez was on a mission to Secure the three points for Merrimack and hand LIU its first defeat in conference this season. Facing a very strong second-half effort which included eight shot attempts by the visiting sharks, Rodriguez turned away all four shot attempts that threatened to tie the game. 

His first great save of the half was off of free kick around the 58 minute mark, a ball that eluded Merrimack's defense, was stopped in a pseudo- one on one opportunity for the Sharks.

As the game carried into the final third, the rainfall in North Andover intensified as well as the game action. Johan Feilscher's effort on the counter was turned just over the bar with a great save at around 70 minutes. Not to be outdone, Rodriguez made the save of the game, stopping LIU's top goal scorer with a stunning one on one save with his left foot. The Warriors were then able to control possession and the clock and come away with the victory.

Top performers/Notes

* Juri Schlingmann scored his fifth goal of the season, and tied for the most shots on goal with four. 

* Johan Feilscher recorded nine official shot attempts, and also had four shots on goal.

* Alvaro Rodriguez recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season, recording five saves on the night, and he's also the first goaltender to shut out the LIU Sharks all season.

UP NEXT

The Warriors Head on the road to take on the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils, on Sunday, October 16th, that game begins at 3 PM. The Warriors return home for the final time this season against Sacred Heart on October 30th. 

For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.