Byron Brown Nets Game-Winner in Firebird Men’s Soccer 1-0 Victory Over Mercyhurst

WASHINGTON, DC – Byron Brown's goal in the 60^th minute of action was the only goal scored on the day as the host University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team improved to 3-0-1 on the season with a 1-0 victory over Mercyhurst on a beautiful Friday afternoon in the nation's capital.

Brown, a sophomore Accounting major out of Silver Spring, MD (Pocono HS), netted his first goal of the season after some pretty passing by sophomore Electrial Engineering major Bakary Coulibaly (Hyattsville, MD – La Lumiere HS) and senior Physical Edcuation major Adriel Garcia (Sau Paulo, Brazil – Anglo Campinas). Garcia's assist was his team-leading, third of the season. He and Coulibaly are tied for the team lead in points scored with seven.

Graduate student goalkeeper Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles, CA – Park View HS) earned his third shutout of the season and improved to 3-0-1 on the season. He made two saves to preserve the win. Diego Gustin took the loss as he made two saves and allowed one goal in the full 90 minutes of work.

The Firebirds held a 12-10 shot advantage and a 4-2 corner kick edge. Brown led the Firebirds with three shots while the Lakers' Frenando Martinez took a game-high four shots.  

Second-year head coach Matt Thompson improved to 4-1-2 against the Pennslvania State Athletic Conference in his career at University of D.C. The Firebirds are also 10-1 under Thompson in games decided by one goal.

Mercyhurst, which has advanced to the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons and was picked to finish 2^nd in the PSAC in this year's  pre-season coaches' poll, fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Next, District of Columbia travels to Philadelphia to take on Holy Family on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.