Firebirds Hold Off Mercyhurst, 1-0 For Season’s First Victory

ERIE, PA – Junior defender Victor Salinas Furio headed in senior midfielder Elio Hernandez's corner kick just minutes into the second half for what proved to be the gamewinner as the University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team earned its first victory of the season Tuesday afternoon, 1-0 on the road vs. non-region foe Mercyhurst.

The Firebirds, who had been outscored 7-1 in the second half in their three previous games, improved to 1-3-1 by virtue of Furio's (Architecture – Valencia, Spain/University Polytechnic of Valencia) second half header goal – his 1^st of the season, and Hernandez's (Health Education – Germantown, MD/Northwest HS) 1^st assist of the year.

A superb defensive effort, spearheaded by the backline of Furio, Nelson Moreno and Marcus Mottley, resulted in a mere eight shots taken by the Lakers, only four of which were on goal.

Senior goalkeeper Louis Connor (Elementary Education – Birmingham, England/Arthur Terry School), who entered the day ranked 3^rd in Division II in total saves, was more than up to the challenge, stopping all four shots to preserve his 1^st shutout of the season and 6^th of his career.

District of Columbia will next host its East Coast Conference season opener vs. Roberts Wesleyan College on Saturday at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, VA. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.