Men's Soccer Defeats Saint Joseph's, 3-0

(box score)

9/16/05 -- Josh Merchant (New Orleans, La.) scored his first career goal, a game-winner, in the 42nd minute as Long Island kicked off the Courtyard by Marriott Blackbird Classic with a win over Saint Joseph's, 3-0.

Senior Mustapha Ayoub (Toronto, Ontario) fed a perfectly placed pass from the left wing to a streaking Merchant, who slid a shot past the goalkeeper into the net to open the scoring. Long Island outshot the Hawks, 13-7, for the match.

Michael Marten (Ogden, Ill.) also tallied his first career goal, and the second goal for the Blackbirds on a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 87th minute. Marten's kick bended over the heads of the defending wall and into the upper-right corner of the goal.

Defender Lexton May (New York, N.Y.) rounded out the scoring in the 89th minute on a corner feed from Ryan Vignona (Manorville, N.Y.).

In the first match of the afternoon, Sacramento State and Adelphi dueled to a 1-1, double-overtime tie. Both teams had their chances late in regulation. In the 84th minute, Sacramento State's Pedro Lupercio hit the crossbar. Three minutes later Adelphi's Oliver Skelding hit the post, denying the potential game-winner.

The Courtyard by Marriott Classic continues on Sunday, September 18th at Noon with Long Island taking on Sacramento State. St. Joe's and Adelphi will play immediately following the first game.