Marist men’s soccer travelled to Long Island for their final non-conference away game, drawing LIU (2-0-4) 1-1. Junior midfielder Arion Ulaj equalized for Marist (3-0-2) in the 61st minute but neither team was able to find a winner. Graduate student midfielder Maximillian Sommer’s goal in the 30th minute helped LIU to earn the draw and stay undefeated.
Marist dominated the second half, shooting 13 times and putting four on target. They had five more corners than LIU, who had none, and scored the only goal of the period. Overall, the Red Foxes put up seven more shots, had three more corners, and committed six fewer fouls.
The match started out slow, with the Red Foxes not finding their first shot till the 16th minute. They finished with 19, well above the average amount given up by the Sharks. LIU entered the game off the back of two consecutive 0-0 draws against Manhattan and Lafayette, respectively.
The Sharks, who are looking to win their third straight Northeastern Conference championship this year, broke the game open a half hour into the game. Senior defender Francesco Chiappo sent a header across the box to Sommer, who rifled it into a goal left barren by the Marist defenders who went to meet the initial header.
Marist threatened after, limiting LIU to just one chance. Sophomore midfielder Caio Cavaletti danced through a few defenders in the 35th minute and sent a cross into the box. Senior forward Jonathan Salguero met it and sent it on frame, but was denied by the crossbar as his team remained down one.
The first half was very even with the sides level on shots and fouls, but LIU holding the advantage in corners. Marist put up one more shot on target and was not caught offside at all, but trailed at the half.
Marist made four subs at the break, continuing to use their bench like they have all year. Graduate student goalie Jamie Lowell and sophomore defender Evan Marques were two of seven to play the whole 90 minutes for Marist, and remain the only two to have not missed a minute all year.
Sophomore defender Gijs Verhuel nearly found the net just 13 minutes into the second half but was denied in close by graduate student goalie Alex Bobocea. Bobocea made his second start of the year after only seeing time in his side’s 2-1 win over Albany. Bobocea made two saves on nine shots in the win.
Three minutes later, with the clock showing just under 30, Marist found their equalizer. Senior midfielder Skylar Cunha sent a long ball into the left side which found junior midfielder Kyle Evans, who beat his man and delivered a low cross to the middle. Ulaj got his boot on it and slotted it into the bottom right, knotting the match at one apiece.
The final half hour of the game was back and forth with each side threatening a few times. Marist had the majority of the good chances but in the end neither side broke through and scored a winner. Last years’ matchup between these teams, their first ever meeting, resulted in a 3-2 Marist win. Marques and sophomore striker Chris Verhuel were among the Red Foxes to score in that one.
Chris Verhuel and Salguero nearly linked up in the 76th minute, but Salguero was unable to put a dangerous pass in, and it was claimed by Bobocea. Senior midfielder Aidan Arber just missed a long shot in the 88th minute, the last decent chance for either side.
Marist rounds out their non-conference schedule this Tuesday, when the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-1-2) come to visit. The Red Foxes lost 2-1 on the road in last year’s meeting, and will look to exact revenge and stay undefeated. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Edited by August Lieberman
Graphic by Xavier Angel
Photo by Cassidy Connors
For more coverage of Marist athletics, follow @cfmarist on Instagram, X, and TikTok, and sign up to receive daily alerts here.