Marist Men’s Soccer (5-7, 2-2 MAAC) hosted Merrimack (2-10-1, 1-3-1 MAAC) in the two school’s first-ever meeting. The defenses ultimately prevailed, with the sides splitting points in a 0-0 draw on the Red Foxes senior night.
The Red Foxes held their senior night festivities pregame, with forward Richard Morel, midfielders Andrea Nguionza and Jorgen Kristiansen, and defender Albion Bacaj being honored.
“For [Morel] and for everybody, I want these guys to keep playing. . . I’m not ready for it to end,” said head coach Matt Viggiano.
Marist entered the match off the back of a 1-0 loss at Iona on Wednesday, ending their winning streak at two after wins at home to Canisius and away at Quinnipiac. The Red Foxes sat seventh in the MAAC standings coming in, with the top eight out of 13 teams earning a playoff spot.
“We got everything to play for. All you can ask as a coach is to be able to control your own destiny.” said Viggiano.
Merrimack came into their third-to-last MAAC game in 11th place looking to build off a couple of positive results. After taking down Saint Peter’s on the road to snap a 10-game losing streak, the Warriors managed a 2-2 draw at home to Fairfield.
The match began slow, with Marist earning the first few big chances. A fourth minute Merrimack foul gave freshman defender Evan Marques a chance to make a play, however, nothing came of it.
The first 25 minutes ended up belonging to Merrimack, even with the scoreboard still showing goose eggs. The Warriors outshot the hosts 6-3, with three of Merrimack’s being on target while none for Marist.
Freshman forward Chris Verhuel failed to convert the first real chance of the match for Marist; after being played in behind his shot along the turf was saved by senior goalkeeper Nelton Semedo.
A mistake on a backpass by freshman defender Evan Marques unintentionally played junior forward Zach Vlachos in behind; the forward nearly beat graduate student goalkeeper Jamie Lowell, who made two spectacular saves to prevent a sure goal for the Warriors.
The Red Foxes’ defense was shaky in the first half, clearly missing sophomore defender Joseph Daher, who picked up a red card in the match at Iona.
“It hurts, but we have talent and guys to step up.” said Viggiano.
The first half ended goalless, with Marist being outshot eight to seven (five to one in shots on target). Lowell was a massive part of the Marist defense in the first half; the keeper made 5 saves to raise his yearly total to 39.
The Red Foxes didn’t earn a single corner kick; Merrimack created three but remained empty on the scoresheet. Merrimack led the fouls committed category by three, leading seven to four. Despite the fouls, neither team entered the referee’s book, with zero cards being dealt.
Senior midfielder Andrea Nguionza started the second half after entering the match in the first half. Nguionza held the place of junior midfielder Skylar Cunha, who started the match.
A 52nd-minute Marist free kick taken by sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans got cleared out to Merrimack freshman forward Salvatore Zani; Zani dribbled coast to coast all alone before slipping the ball across to freshman midfielder Ignacio Chamizo. Chamizo’s weak shot ended the attack as it was sent directly into the arms of Lowell.
Aside from the early Warrior attack the second half of soccer began just as the first did, with 15 minutes of nil-nil soccer. Marist added six shots to their total, but ultimately the Red Foxes continued their run of over 135 scoreless minutes.
The 64th minute offered another chance for Verhuel, the reigning MAAC rookie of the week. After a run from sophomore defender Ethan Ortiz, fellow sophomore defender Nicholas Sanchez found Verhuel; Verhuel’s shot from outside the box forced a diving save from Semedo.
Marist nearly found the back of the net shortly after, when a deep cross from sophomore midfielder Adam Rustami connected with freshman defender Gijs Verhuel. Verhuel’s header looked goal-bound however it ended up just wide of the post.
The Red Foxes offense came to life in the first half of the second period, tallying 10 shots and forcing 4 saves out of Semedo. Despite the noise from the bundled-up home crowd, the match remained at a zero-zero scoreline.
It took 82 minutes for the first yellow card to be brandished, with senior defender Carlo Romei taking it for Merrimack. His card resulted in a dangerous free kick for Marist that was ultimately sent over by freshman midfielder Caio Cavaletti.
Ulaj almost sealed the match for Marist with under 5 to play, however an incredible diving save from Semedo stopped any hopes for a celebration.
“We gotta be hungrier” said Viggiano. His team registered 21 shots, 13 in the second half, but ultimately didn’t find the back of the net.
Marist continues MAAC play this Wednesday, October 30 at home vs Niagara. Niagara currently sits bottom of the MAAC table, with a 0-4-1 conference record. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Edited by Marley Pope
Photo by Jaylen Rizzo
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