Williamsville, N.Y. – On the back of a season-high eight saves from graduate student Dennis Mejia and two first half goals, the Molloy men's soccer team defeated the Wildcats of Daemen University, 2-1, at Williamsville South High School Stadium. The Lions improve to 2-7-3 overall and 1-2-1 in East Coast Conference play, while the Wildcats move to 2-7-1 overall and 1-3 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• The Wildcats created the first chance of the contest in the seventh minute with a shot from Derek Bartlo, but graduate student Dennis Mejia made a save to keep the game scoreless.
• The Lions were able to generate its first shot on target iin the 12^th minute, when graduate student Nicolay Kutzop fired a shot that was denied.
• Daemen tried to crack the scoreboard in the 17^th minute, but Mejia made a save to his right to keep the game without a score.
• Mejia made his third save of the half in the 24^th minute to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
• Molloy put together three shots on goal in a 39 second span, but shots from Kutzop, graduate student Jonas Jacobsen, and junior Diogo Ferreira were all saved by Daemen goalkeeper Arturo Bustamante in the 28^th minute.
• The Lions were finally able to beat the Wildcats keeper, when senior Ryan Dobson found the back of the net off a feed from senior Andy Blanco to take a 1-0 lead in the 31^st minute.
• In the 41^st minute, Daemen looked for the equalizer, but Mejia made another save to keep the Lions in front.
• Two minutes later, freshman Steph Maurice fired a shot into the bottom right corner to put Molloy ahead, 2-0, heading into halftime.
• 26 seconds into the second stanza, Daemen looked to cut the lead in half, but Mejia stonewalled the shot attempt to keep the zero on the scoreboard.
• Freshman Matthew Broadhead created a chance in the 52^nd minute, but his shot was sent high of the crossbar.
• The home team continued to look for its first goal of the contest, with two shots in a 40-second time. One shot went wide and the other was saved by Mejia in the 59^th minute.
• Two minutes later, junior Ollie Murch fired a shot that was saved and then followed it up with another shot that was blocked.
• The Lions continued to put pressure on the Wildcats, senior Edwin Castellon tried to find the back of the net, but his attempt was denied in the 73^rd minute.
• Still in search of its first goal of the contest, Daemen fired a shot on target in the 78^th minute, but Mejia stayed stout in goal to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
• After a few shots that missed the target, the home team was able to crack the scoreboard with 56 seconds remaining to pull within one, 2-1.
• The Lions would not allow another chance in the final seconds and go on to win the contest, 2-1.

Top Performances

• Maurice picked up his second goal of the season.
• Dobson netted his first goal of the campaign.
• Blanco handed out his first assist of the year.
• In goal, Mejia made a season-high eight saves.

Up Next
The Lions return home Wednesday (Oct. 11) as they welcome the 23^rd-ranked Southern New Hampshire Penmen to Rockville Centre. The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.