Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The Molloy men's soccer team fell to the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia, 2-1, in overtime Sunday afternoon in the ECC Final at John A. Darcy Field. The Lions conclude the season 8-8-4, while the Firebirds improve to 8-7-4.
 
How it Happened

• 2:25 into the contest, UDC's Ignacio Lopez netted a goal via a free kick to put the Firebirds ahead, 1-0.
• The Firebirds would continue its pressure with two additional chances in the seventh and ninth minutes, but neither would reach target.
• The Lions would create its first opportunity in the 22^nd minute when sophomore Steph Maurice headed a shot towards goal that was saved by UDC goalkeeper Giovanni Llamas.
• Molloy continued to look for its equalizer in the 31^st minute. Junior Matt Star looked for a chance to score, but has his shot blocked by the Firebirds defense.
• Two minutes later, freshman Callum Hunt came up with a huge save on Isaiah Daniel to keep the Lions within one.
• The cardinal and white would have a pair of chances in 45 seconds apart in the 38^th and 39^th minute, but neither shot would land on frame. The game would go into halftime with UDC holding a 1-0 lead.
• Coming out of the halftime break, Molloy would have a chance in the 49^th minute following a header attempt from Star, but his chance would be saved.
• In the 56^th minute, sophomore Steph Maurice would settle a ball down in the 18-yard box and fire a shot that would hit the cross bar.
• 1:12 later Molloy would earn a free-kick from about 30 yards out. Freshman Charlie Morgan would send the kick into the box and find Maurice at the back post, who would head it into the back of the net to tie the contest at one.
• The action would slow down over the next 10 minutes of play, as both teams would clamp down defensively.
• In the 71^st minute, freshman Brennan Murphy looked to break the tie with a shot, but his attempt was saved.
• Six minutes later, UDC's Ignacio Pericet would fire a shot on goal, but Hunt was there to make the denial.
• Molloy's final chance of regulation would come with 35 seconds to go, when Star looked to score off a header, but the attempt would be saved to send the contest to overtime.
• In the overtime period, Maurice would generate the first chance 2:08 in, but his shot would be blocked.
• With under 20 seconds remaining in overtime the Firebirds would win a corner. Following a bouncing unsettled ball in the box, the ball would find the head of Mustafa Tahir, who would head it into the net and clinch the title for the Firebirds.

Top Performances

• Maurice netted his fourth goal of the season while totaling two shots on goal.
• Morgan dished out his fifth assist.
• In goal, Hunt made two saves.