EMMITSBURG, Md. (March 8, 2021) – Minutes away from a defining upset, the Mount St. Mary's surrendered the tie before falling in overtime to the Merrimack Warriors, 3-2.
Freshman
Alek Wroblewski was key to sparking the Mount's success, scoring both goals unassisted. As a team, the Mountaineers fired 10 goals, with four on goal.
Shots were even as the defense kept the preseason favorites from getting too many opportunities
. Keeper
Adam Siviter registered two saves along the way.
"It was a fast paced match tonight and I am proud of our players for their tenacity in all phases of the game." Head Coach
Bryan Cunningham said. "It's a game of opportunities and unfortunately if we finish a couple of chances earlier, it's a different outcome. We are getting better every week with this group and it won't be long before the wins follow."
After playing on their heels with the Warriors maintaining the possession, the Mount waited to pounce toward the net.
Registering their first shot 16 minutes in, Wroblewski cashed in on an opening in the 22
nd minute. Siviter saved the quick counter, and the Mountaineers appeared to seize the momentum.
In the closing minutes of the first half, however, a second Merrimack counter proved effective for them as Sean O'Neill pulled the game level.
Wroblewski returned the Mount to the lead by curtailing the ball with four key dribbles before planting his second in the back of the net. The home side then tried to finish off the Warriors, with their closest attempt coming in the 69
th minute, when a free kick by
Juan Molina got denied by the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Merrimack drew level again when Dylan Barreria curled a highlight worthy shot past the Mount defense. Two late tries by the Mountaineers landed off target before the game went into overtime.
The Warriors completed the comeback on the first shot in the extra period. Leading scorer Frantz Pierrot found space on the left side of the box, and Barreria supplied him the ball for the golden goal.
Mount St. Mary's falls to 0-3-1 and Merrimack improves to 2-0. The Mount heads to New York next Monday (March 15) to take on St. Francis Brooklyn.
