UDC Men’s Soccer Defeated, 2-1 by No. 12 Mercy in Season Finale

DOBBS FERRY, NY – The University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team was defeated 2-1 by East Coast Conference foe Mercy College in both teams' regular season finale.

The Firebirds' season concludes with a final record of 6-10-1 overall and 4-5 in conference play. Mercy, with today's win, clinched the regular season championship and a No. 1 seed in next week's ECC Championship Tournament.

The Mavericks, who have won three straight to end the regular season, out-shot UDC, 14-5 and took six corner kicks to the Firebirds' one. Mercy starting goalkeeper allowed one goal on one shot faced in the first half to earn the win. Jordan Williams relieved him in the 2^nd half and did not face any shots on goal.

UDC goalkeeper Daniel Eisenhauer faced seven shots, stopping five and allowing two goals in just over 72 minutes of play. Joao Brusamolin came on for the final 17:50 but did not face a shot on goal.

All three goals this afternoon were scored in the first half, as Mercy jumped out in front just past the 19-minute mark, and reclaimed the lead for good just before halftime.

Ignacio Mangada scored his 8^th goal of the season by following his own shot that hit off the post for the game's first goal. Junior forward Malik Thom answered for UDC almost 20 minutes later when he scored off a cross by senior forward Salah Warid to even the score, 1-1.

But with only 1:15 remaining in the first half, Mercy's Maximiliano Rebolledo-Camus scored what proved to be the game-winner off an assist by Gaston Rozenblum.

The Firebirds managed only three shots in the 2^nd half – all three were blocked by Mercy defenders. Although Mercy took only two shots, the Mavericks did take five corner kicks and kept the ball out of their defensive third for much of the closing period.

Today's one-goal loss was indicative of how tough the entire season has gone for the ECC preseason favorite, as seven of the Firebirds' 10 losses were by only one goal, including two in overtime.

UDC says goodbye to 10 seniors who were a part of 31 wins over the past four seasons, and had the most successful season in program history in 2017 where the Firebirds won 15 games, including an ECC semifinal contest and an NCAA Division II Tournament First Round contest.