Josh Merchant Scores Overtime Goal to Lift Men's Soccer to 4-3 Win over Robert Morris

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11/4/05 - Freshman Josh Merchant (New Orleans, La.) scored two goals and assisted on another as the Long Island University men’s soccer team kept its Northeast Conference tournament hopes alive with a wild 4-3 overtime victory over Robert Morris. The win pushes the Blackbirds record to 6-8-1, 3-4-1 in the NEC.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first overtime, Merchant took a feed from fellow frosh Mohammed Mashriqi (Flushing, N.Y.) on the left side. Letting loose from the 30-yard marker, Merchant’s shot ricocheted off the right post and found the back of the net for his second goal of the game and second game-winning goal of the season.

In a game that saw LIU outshoot the Colonials, 23-9, Robert Morris struck first in the fourth minute. Off a deflected free kick from 20 yards out, Allan Brown found the loose ball and scored his first of two goals in the game to give the Colonials an early lead.

After 35 minutes of scoreless action, senior Mustapha Ayoub (Toronto, Ontario) found freshman John Crawley (Glasgow, Scotland) on the left side for the equalizer. For Crawley, it was his first collegiate goal and came after he had hit the post from just outside the box earlier in the match.

Merchant and classmate Michael Marten (Ogden, Ill.) recorded goals three minutes apart to give the Blackbirds a commanding 3-1 lead with 27 minutes remaining in regulation. Merchant’s first goal of the match was set up by a beautiful pass by Marten. Merchant returned the favor, finding Marten streaking down the right side to give LIU the two-goal advantage.

Robert Morris came storming back, as a handball in the box gave the Colonials a pentitley kick. Brown converted for his second goal of the match to cut the deficit in half.

In the 83rd minute, a wild sequence took place in front of the Blackbirds net, eventually leading to a shot and goal by the Colonials’ Stan Terlecki that tied the game and forced overtime.

Freshman Jeremy Wimer (Shreveport, La.) improved to 3-0 on the season, recording three saves on the day. Robert Morris’ Matt Felice stopped four shots.

LIU finishes its regular season slate on Sunday, Nov. 6 at home against St. Francis (Pa.). The 12:00 p.m. contest also marks the final home match for lone senior Mustapha Ayoub.