KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2022) – The USMMA Mariners men's soccer team made Senior Day 2022 one to remember with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the visiting Mount Saint Mary Knights. USMMA scored two goals in the final 5:58 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With the win, Merchant Marine improved to 6-4-5 overall (3-1-4 Skyline), while the loss dropped the Knights to 6-5-3 (4-2-2 Skyline).
 
Game Link

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Freshman John Germain 

The Mariners' three seniors, goalkeeper Chase Miller (Boise, Idaho), defenseman Hudson Magee (Chapel Hill, N.C.) and forward Connor Damaré (Slidell, La.), as well as grad. student defender Denton Henry (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) were honored in style with USMMA's most electrifying win of the season. The fireworks however did not start until the second half.
 
Half number one gave no hints as to what was in store for half number two. A very quiet first 45 minutes saw a 0-0 score at the break. Both the Knights and Mariners registered only one shot on goal apiece in the opening frame.
 
Before fans could settle back in their seats Quinn Tynan broke the ice for Mount Saint Mary 48 seconds into the second half. Refusing to quit, the Mariners kept getting traffic near the net and Knights' keeper Cesar Martinez. All that traffic led to sophomore Mark Sommer (St. Louis, Mo.) springing loose in on goal. Sommer drew and foul and earned a penalty kick, which he converted by beating Martinez to his right.
 
All even at one, momentum appeared to be on the Mariners' side. That quickly changed when Christopher Maggi ripped a shot by Miller with 7:45 on the clock to put the Knights back on top 2-1.
 
In a game that honored the seniors, it was two plebs who stole the show late for USMMA. With just under six minutes remaining, freshman John Germain (Cornwall, N.Y.) fired a rising rocket that tucked itself inside the near post under the crossbar. The Mariners had tied the game for the second time in the half and Germain had scored his first career goal in remarkable fashion.
 
The follow-up act was pulled off by freshman Clayton Ecalono (Pleasant Grove, Utah). With 1:56 on the clock, Ecalono chested down a loose ball and fired a laser by Martinez to give the Mariners their first lead of the game. For a team that had already tied four times in conference play, the Mariners played like a team that refused to tie again.
 
The 3-2 win was a storybook Senior Day finish for Miller, Magee, Damaré and Henry. A true grind-it-out effort that paid off as USMMA outshot the Knights 10-6 and 5-3 in the on-goal department.
 
Merchant Marine now turns their focus to Wednesday night, Oct. 19, as the Mariners will face Skyline rival SUNY Maritime in the 142 Game at Bartoszek Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Live stats and a live video feed of the contest will be available with links on the USMMA Men's Soccer Schedule Page.
 
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