Box Score
 
KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2021) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's soccer team hosted arch-rival Coast Guard on Saturday in the Mariners' first regular season game played at the new Bartoszek Field, and despite giving everything they had, the hosts lost to the Bears by the final of 1-0. The setback drops the Mariners' record to 1-4, while Coast Guard improves to 5-0.
 
The lone goal of the game came in 66th minute on a great play by the Bears' sophomore Charles Fish, who corralled the ball outside the box and chipped a shot into the top right corner just over the outstretched arm of USMMA junior keeper Chase Miller (Boise, Idaho).
 
Miller and Coast Guard's sophomore keeper Josh Hudson were dueling it out for the best defensive player of the game, with both net-minders finishing the day with five saves.
 
Merchant Marine had numerous opportunities, including the first of the game in the 13th minute by senior David Kelly (Lutherville, Md.), who was playing in his first game of the season. Kelly took a high feed in from the right side and headed a shot that sailed towards the goal, looking to sneak it just under the crossbar, but Hudson made a leaping stop to push it over the bar.
 
The Bears had the advantage in shots in the opening half, 8-4, but all three that were on goal were turned aside by Miller.
 
The Mariners came out of the locker room from halftime and had numerous opportunities in the second half, especially early, but Hudson proved up to the test. He kept out four Merchant Marine shots on goal, including a stop that was almost identical to the one he had on Kelly early in the game.
 
With under eight minutes to play, senior Daniel Murphy (Sandwich, Mass.) took a high cross in from the far side and leaped to send a header on goal, in the same location as Kelly's earlier, and once again Hudson pushed it over the crossbar at the last second. It was the last good opportunity the Mariners had in the game.
 
Up next, the Mariners will play non-conference opponent Hunter College at home on Wednesday night, Sept. 15. Kickoff against the Hawks is slated for 7 p.m. at "The Ray." Live stats and a live video feed of the game will be available with links on the USMMA Men's Soccer Schedule Page.
 
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