POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The Marist Men's Soccer team became the first team to score a goal against No. 9 New Hampshire without converting a set piece, as well as its first deficit of 2021, but the Wildcats ultimately snatched the 2-1 decision on Tuesday evening at Tenney Stadium.

The loss is the first at home for the Red Foxes this year, and puts their record at 3-3. UNH maintains their perfect record, improving to 6-0.

Freshman forward Richard Morel scored his second goal of the year to open the scoring in the sixth minute, but New Hampshire responded in the 22nd minute when Tola Showunmi potted a free kick. In the second half, the Wildcats were awarded a penalty kick, and Rory O'Driscoll buried the attempt to give the visitors the lead for good.

Senior goalkeeper Samuel Ilin made six saves in the effort, a game-high.

Linus Fallberg tallied a game-best four shots, while netminder Jassem Koleilat posted one save.
 

first half

• The Red Foxes didn't hesitate to jump out on the field with some prowess, as junior forward Stefan Copetti lofted a ball to Morel in the box, who quickly settled to beat Koleilat.
• However, with just under 25 minutes left in the first half, Sam Henneberg placed a free kick from 25 yards out to the left of the box, where Showunmi directly sent it past Ilin.
• The Wildcats got their opportunities, tallying seven shots in the first half, but struggled to solve Ilin, who made three saves.
• Morel's goal was the lone shot for the Red Foxes in the stanza.

 

second half

• Both teams opened up the frame with two shots in the first six minutes.
• Marist had a few opportunities attacking the net, including a free kick and three corners, but weren't able to capitalize.
• Junior midfielder Henrique Cruz fired a shot in the 56th minute, but Koleilat stopped it.
• Ilin responded with his own denial less than two minutes later.
• Just over a minute after junior midfielder Antek Sienkiel drove a shot above the crossbar, UNH got the foul call in the left corner of the box in the 62nd minute. O'Driscoll hesitated before tucking the penalty kick into the lower-left corner.
• Showunmi almost secured the brace in the 74th minute, but Ilin twisted to bat away the Wildcat's shot from the right corner.
• UNH registered the only shot in the game's final 10 minutes, Bilal Kamal chance that Ilin scooped up.

 

stats

• Four Red Foxes recorded shots, with Henrique Cruz's two leading the team.
• Marist faced 16 total shots this match, allowing eight on goal.
• Corner kicks favored the Wildcats 9-4, though Marist had the 3-2 edge in the final 45 minutes.

 

notes

• Marist suffers its first home regulation defeat since September 18th, 2019 against UAlbany.
• Morel is the first freshman to score in consecutive games since teammate Skylar Conway did so from October 3rd-6th, 2018. He is now tied for the team lead in goals with graduate captain Huib Achterkamp.
• With the assist, Copetti also joins Achterkamp with a team-high four points.
• Tuesday marked Marist's first game against a Top 10, nationally-ranked opponent since it faced No. 2 Virginia on September 14th, 2010.
• UNH takes the lead in the all-time series 3-2-1, and is unbeaten in four consecutive matches.

 

quote from coach

"We did some good things (tonight) ... (The Wildcats) are ninth in the country for a reason. They play the game the right way, they're hard to play against, and they have talent all over the park. I think we can definitely learn from that game ... My biggest takeaway is if we do some of the things they do, then we will be knocking on the door. I have no doubt.

"I said before, we're not afraid of anybody; I think we can play with anybody. In some respects, I think we proved that tonight. But, there are no moral victories; it's about results. We're going to learn from this, regroup, and be ready to play Bryant on Saturday." - Head Coach Matt Viggiano
 

up next

• The Red Foxes host Bryant this Saturday, September 18th at 7 p.m. to close out the three-game homestand.