NEWBURGH, NY – Desperately needing three points to stay alive in the Skyline Conference standings, the Mount Saint Mary College men’s soccer team took care of business on Thursday evening, defeating Purchase College, 3-0. The Blue Knights improved to 6-6-1 overall and to 2-4-0 inside the conference while the Panthers dropped to 4-9-1 (1-5-0 Skyline).
Sophomore
Francesco Marando (Slate Hill, N.Y.) opened the scoring in the 8th minute, stealing the ball from a Purchase defender and then cruising in one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His low shot found the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.
In the 20th minute, sophomore
Mike Del Rosso (Washingtonville, N.Y.) put home the prettiest goal of the night. After a touch by freshman
Connor Brady (Brick, N.J.) in the back, freshman
Kevin Ryan (West Islip, N.Y.) served a beautiful ball into the box. Del Rosso controlled the ball nicely and beat the keeper to give the Blue Knights a two goal lead.
Senior
Brian Strock (Wallkill, N.Y.) closed out the scoring in the 39th minute, finishing off a rebound that followed a corner kick and a scramble in the box.
Senior goalkeeper
Paul Aries (Nashua, N.H.) was solid in collecting his fourth shutout of the season. He made six saves.
Purchase junior Alex Frenkel (Danbury, Conn.) was spectacular at the other end of the net. The goalkeeper was under constant pressure and finished off the game with 13 saves. He robbed several Blue Knights on quality scoring chances.
The Blue Knights will head to St. Joseph’s College on Saturday for another important Skyline Conference game. The Golden Eagles will host the Mount at Centereach Field beginning at 1:00 p.m.