Eagles Fail to Hold Lead against Merchant Marine

Kings Point, N.Y. – The Golden Eagles (0-7-1) went on the road to visit the USMMA Mariners (3-4). The Eagles grabbed a first half lead but couldn't hold on as the Mariners two second half goals were the difference as St. Joseph's fell 2-1.

St. Joseph's lone goal came in the 37^th minute as Fabio Alves (Holbrook, N.Y. / Sachem East) found himself on a breakaway. His first shot was saved by the Mariner's goalkeeper, Gary Poulin, but Alves' second effort would not be denied as he put home his own rebound to give the Eagles the first half lead.  The Golden Eagles lone goal came after a flurry of four shots in three minutes before Alves finally was able to take advantage.

Junior Chris Hall (Mastic, N.Y. / William Floyd) hit it well from 25 yards out and forced the Mariner's keeper off his feet to keep the game scoreless in the 34^th minute.

The second half proved to be a different story for the Eagles. The Mariner's, playing in front of their home crowd of over 300, had 11 of their 18 shots in the second half.  Just eight minutes after Merchant Marine brought on subs Tim Hughes and Dan Weldon, Hughes found Weldon's head on a cross to equalize. With the game knotted up at one, it didn't take long for Merchant Marine to capitalize on the momentum. Thirty seconds later, another Mariner's second half sub, Tanner Nestler, blasted a shot from the top of the box off the left post and in to give Merchant Marine a 2-1 advantage over the Eagles.

A late shot from Gaetano Innamorato (West Babylon, N.Y. / West Babylon) proved to be the Golden Eagles' only chance to level the match.  The Eagles were outshot 18 to 9 after a furious second half rally from the home team.             

The Eagles return home this Saturday at 1 p.m. for their first Skyline Conference game against Sage.