Men’s Soccer Battles to Draw Against Rivier
NASHUA, N.H. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team jumped right back into GNAC play on the road Saturday afternoon, playing to a 1-1 draw against Rivier University at Joanne Merrill Field.
The Raiders jumped out to an early lead when Landon Davidson got a shot off on goal and Mitchell keeper Jesse Jenkins (Windsor, Conn.) was able to make the save but could not gain possession of the ball. Raiders midfielder Drew Sacca found himself in the perfect position, putting back the second chance opportunity that had pulled Jenkins from the net to give the home squad a one goal edge.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Raiders until the waning minutes of the first half when the Mariners were awarded a corner kick off a blocked shot by Noslin Antunez (Westbrook, Conn.). Kicking from the near side corner, Mitchell's Derek Barrientos (Bridgeville, Dela.) dropped the ball in front of the left side of the net. A scrum ensued, yet junior Dylan Lucey (Lebanon, Conn.) won the battle, knocking the ball in for his second goal of the season.
After notching eight shots during the first half of play, the Mitchell attack was tamed by the Rivier defense, getting off just one shot in the second half. Freshman Alex Burrell (Montville, Conn.) led the Mariners with two shots. The Raiders outshot the Mariners 21-9, and just edged them in corner kick opportunities, 6-5.
Freshman goalkeeper Jesse Jenkins finished with five saves against six shots on goal. Rivier's Noah Hunt was credited with two saves.
Mitchell (1-0-2, 1-0-1 GNAC) will return to conference play on Wednesday, September 13th, when they host Albertus Magnus College at 4:00 pm. Rivier (0-2-2, 0-1-1 GNAC) also return to action on the 13th, traveling for a conference tilt at Lasell.