DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Opening a two-match roadstand to conclude the regular season, the regionally ranked No. 4 Queens College men's soccer team faced its third nationally ranked opponent of the season, taking on the nationally ranked No. 24 and regionally ranked No. 3 Mercy University Mavericks in East Coast Conference play at Mercy Field.
After more than 80 minutes of scoreless action in a back-and-forth battle, the Mavericks scored twice in the final 10 minutes to hand the Knights a 2-0 defeat Wednesday afternoon.
With the loss, Queens falls to 10-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in ECC play.
MATCH RECAP
Queens opened the contest aggressively, as sophomore
Taro Aboubakary put a shot on target just 12 seconds into the match. However, the attempt was denied by a timely save from the Mavericks' goalkeeper.
In the sixth minute, senior
Tommy Gunn sent a shot wide left as the Knights continued to apply offensive pressure.
Mercy recorded its first shot on target in the ninth minute, but senior goalkeeper
Thanasis Shehadeh made a timely save to keep the contest scoreless.
Following a set-piece opportunity in the 12th minute, senior
Andrew Johnson sent his shot wide left.
Queens continued to pressure the Mavericks' defense, but sophomore
Carlos Villa's shot on goal in the 16th minute was turned away by the Mercy goalkeeper.
After a quiet stretch of play, graduate student
Anton Mand directed a shot toward the bottom-left corner in the 42nd minute, only to be denied by another save from the Mavericks' goalkeeper.
Mercy recorded a shot on target shortly before halftime, but Shehadeh made the save to ensure both teams entered the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Both sides opened the second half with shots on target, but each goalkeeper came up with a save to preserve the scoreless tie.
Mand and senior
Keithlend Cesar followed with shots on goal in the 63rd and 65th minutes, respectively, but both attempts were denied by the Mercy goalkeeper.
With the contest still scoreless after more than 80 minutes, Mercy broke through with two goals in a span of four minutes to secure the 2-0 victory Wednesday afternoon.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens was outshot by Mercy, 12-9, while the Knights held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal.
- Mand recorded a team-high three shots on goal.
- Shehadeh finished with four saves.
NEXT MATCH
Queens concludes the regular season in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Knights take on the D'Youville University Saints in ECC play. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's soccer (qcmsoccer).
