UDC Men’s Soccer Scores Two Unanswered Goals to Beat Millersville, 2-1

MILLERSVILLE, PA – After falling behind 1-0 in the first 10 minutes of play, the University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team scored two unanswered goals in the first half and went on to defeat non-conference foe Millersville, 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Pucillo Field.

The Firebirds, ranked No. 7 in the East Region, won their second straight game and improved to 4-1-1 overall while Millersville, winless in its last three previous outings, fell to 1-4-1.

A through ball by Jaime Vazquez led to a one-on-one for Jesse Zimmerman, who beat UDC junior goalkeeper Louis Connor (Elementary Education – Birmingham, England/Arthur Terry School) to give the Marauder's an early 1-0 lead in the 9^th minute of regulation.

But only four minutes later, sophomore midfielder Nenad Smiljanic (Business Management – Barnsley, England/Barnsley College) netted his 2^nd penalty kick goal of the season to even the score. Smiljanic is now 2-for-2 on penalty kicks this season.

After a long scoring drought, UDC broke the 1-all tie just minutes before halftime when Diego Alvarado (Architecture – Germantown, MD/Northwest HS) played a long ball to sophomore forward Felix Angerer (Business Administration - Bayreuth, Germany/Graj Minster Gymnasium Bayreuth) sent a cross into the box that found the foot of junior midfielder Elio Hernandez (Elementary Education – Germantown, MD/Northwest HS) for his 1^st goal of the season.

The Firebirds managed to hold the Marauders scoreless the final 81 minutes of regulation thanks in large part to Connor's season-high tying eight saves. Connor entered the game ranked 3^rd in the ECC in saves and 7^th in save percentage. He improved to 4-1-1 this season with the win.

Next up for UDC is a trip to Erie, PA to take on its second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent, Mercyhurst. The game is scheduled for Thursday, September 25^th at 4 p.m.