Firebirds Challenge Mercyhurst’s Unbeaten Streak, Fall 4-1
Washington, DC: October 17, 2010--The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men's Soccer Team held their ground with the undefeated Mercyhurst College Lakers before eventually falling to them, 4-1, today at the UDC Soccer in Washington, DC. The Firebirds gave them a run for their money in the first half as Mercyhurst scored the first goal of the match, but UDC struck back when sophomore defender/mid-fielder Marion Banegas (Business- Frederick, Maryland) scored on a penalty kick in the 38th minute to knot the match at 1.
Mercyhurst's first goal came in the 35th minute when Christoph Hampel headed the ball over the goal line into the ground. The dynamics of the match changed in the second half as Mercyhurst became more comfortable and began opening up the game applying pressure that UDC found hard to handle.
Mercyhurst scored their second goal when Hampel booted the ball into the net on a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Alex Manea then found the back of the net for Mercyhurst after dribbling the ball down and taking a shot in the 81st minute, to give them a 3-2 lead. Hampel then closed out the Mercyhurst scoring with a hat trick, scoring his third goal of the day on an assist in the 85th minute.
UDC fell to 3-10-1, following this contest, while Mercyhurst improved to 11-0-2. The Firebirds will next face the Millersville University Marauders on Tuesday, October 19, at 7:30p.m., in Millersville, Pennsylvania.