KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Oct. 9, 2024) – A goal from junior Billy Castoro (Garden City, N.Y.) in the sixth minute proved to be the difference as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's soccer team defeated Mount St. Mary, 1-0. The Mariners improved to 7-4-2 (4-1-2 Skyline), while the Knights fell to 3-6-1 (0-5-1 Skyline).
 
Game Links

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Sophomore Ethan Howell 

Sophomore goalkeeper Ethan Howell (Alexandria, Va.) made five saves to post the shutout for the Mariners. Cesar Martinez stopped nine shots to pace the Knights.
 
The Knights had a quick scoring chance in just the 2nd minute, but Howell made the save. The keeper stopped another shot moments later in the 5th minute.
 
USMMA then capitalized on its first scoring chance of the game to take a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute. A sideline throw-in from senior Derek Vanasse (Camarillo, Calif.) reached the near post and Castoro jumped in front of the keeper and headed the ball into the upper corner.
 
The Mariners had a great chance to extend their lead in the 18th minute, but Martinez made a diving stop on a 25-yard free kick from Vanasse.
 
After another Howell save in the 19th minute, Martinez stopped junior Tyson Mallas (Los Angeles, Calif.) in the 20th minute and then denied freshman Cal Lutz (Charlotte, N.C.) in the 21st minute.
 
USMMA continued to pepper the net, while Martinez continued to rack up saves. The keeper stopped Mallas again in the 27th minute before denying a chance from sophomore Patrick Novotny (Fort Worth, Texas) in the 28th minute. Freshman Robert Derwin (East Meadow, N.Y.) then had a shot saved in the 30th minute and the score remained 1-0 at the break.
 
The Knights opened the second half with a quick chance in the 47th minute, but were denied by another Howell save.
 
The Mariners, meanwhile, were held without a second half shot until the 56th minute when junior Michael Hofstetter (Deer Park, N.Y.) had a shot turned away by Martinez. Hofstetter had another attempt in the 69th minute, but his header was saved.
 
The Mariners next head to Teaneck, N.J., on Sunday, Oct. 13, for a 5 p.m. Skyline contest against Yeshiva.
 
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