Atlantic Spotlight, Wk 3

By D3soccer.com Contributor

Almost one month into the 2019 season, the Atlantic Spotlight area (NCAA Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions) remains wide open. Some pre-season favorites have faltered, while others have weathered the early season storm and will enter conference play powered by some of the country’s most consistent performers on either end of the pitch. Goal scorers, senior leaders, and ranked matchups headline Week 3’s regional spotlight.

Moravian challenges top two NJAC teams

Heading into the week the Moravian Greyhounds (4-1-1) had won their first four games while only allowing a single goal against. The step up in competition to face last year’s top two NJAC teams was an excellent test before LAND Conference play gets started.

They traveled to Montclair State (5-2-0) on Wednesday and while the Greyhounds couldn’t find the net they did hold the high powered Red Hawks to just one goal after most of the game was spent in midfield. Freshman forward Oscar Sanchez scored in the 68th minute, finding the back of the net in traffic from the 6-yard line to notch his team high tying fourth goal of the season. The Greyhounds responded well, forcing Red Hawk junior goalkeeper Michael Mejia to make three late saves – the last with 54 seconds left – to preserve the win and shutout.

On Saturday, in a very physical game that saw a combined 46 fouls called, the Greyhounds hosted Ramapo (2-0-3) and the visiting Roadrunners came out firing. They outshot the Greyhounds 9-1 before the break, but junior keeper Michael Boone stood tall as it remained nil-nil. Ramapo forward Joe Fala scored his first of the year in the 48th after Nick Petrozziello sent in a corner and the 6’ 7’ senior headed it home. But the Greyhounds equalized in the 72nd minute. Rookie Carson Snyder was taken down in the box and sophomore midfielder Anthony Nagy converted the PK for his fifth of the early season. The Greyhounds applied most of the overtime pressure but Ramapo rookie goalie Noah Beverin collected three OT saves (eight total) to preserve the tie.

York (Pa.) can’t overcome miscues @ Johns Hopkins

The York (Pa.) Spartans (3-1-2) have gotten off to a good start this season, winning two, tying two, and posting three straight shutouts. While visiting the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays this past Wednesday the defense stayed taut and overall, they played the current No. 8 ranked team in the d3soccer.com Top 25 even. But it was two inadvertent plays that led to own goals by the Spartans that did them in.

In both the 26th and 63rd minutes, errant clears by the defense found the net. In the 69th minute junior Zion Friday cut the deficit in half, as he collected a loose ball before blasting a shot just inside the left post from 20 yards out. It was his second of the year, but not enough to salvage a tie.

Mary Washington tops Lynchburg, ties Roanoke

The Mary Washington Eagles (4-1-1) visited two tough ODAC opponents this past week. On Wednesday, the Eagles didn’t let a 2-hour rain delay in Lynchburg (3-1-0) dampen their spirits. They nearly scored before a minute had been played and then had another chance a few minutes later. The game settled and each team continued to create chances. The Hornets best chance of the day came when they hit the post in the 25th.hitting a post in the 25th. The Eagles dud convert their good opportunities. They got on the board just before break, as soph Justin Mittereder absorbed a foul in the box. Senior Jacob Lovinger converted the penalty to enter the break 1-0.

They made 2-0 in the 70th, as soph Noah Mazzatenta sent a ball into the box which junior Kevin Conrad got his head on and powered home. Junior goalie Ken Kurtz made two late saves, including a one-on-one stop, to complete the five-save shutout.

Next was a Saturday trip to Roanoke (4-0-1) to face the undefeated Maroons. Again, the weather had an impact as the game was stopped, nil-nil, in the 81st minute due to nearby lightening. Mary Washington held a slight 7-6 shot advantage, each team won two corners, and two very good, very even teams played to a draw.

Lynchburg responds vs Olgethorpe

On Friday evening, the Lynchburg Hornets returned home and shook off their earlier loss with a hard fought 2-1 win over the previously unbeaten Oglethorpe Petrals (4-2-0). The Petrals entered the game ranked No. 13 in the d3soccer.com Top 25.

The Hornets were led by freshman Luke Mega’s two goals and junior Kyle Gallagher’s stellar play between the posts. Mega opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Senior Michael Lyons played it long, Mega collected, and beat two defenders for his second goal of the season. The Hornets had the better of play over the next 50 minutes, but it stayed 1-0 before a breakaway by the Petrals resulted in a foul in the box. Gallagher guessed correctly on the spot kick, diving to his right to bat it away and preserve the lead.

Mega found the back of the net again 12 minutes later. Junior Abidi Osman played one through the defense and Mega worked around a couple of defenders to double the lead. The Petrals got on the board in the 86th, and nearly tied in in the 88th but were denied by another acrobatic Gallagher save.

Rowan youngsters take in Chicago

The Rowen Profs had a nice visit to Chicago this past weekend. On Friday they squared off against the Chicago Maroons (2-0-3) and on Sunday against the North Park Vikings (3-2-0). These UAA and CCIW teams are ranked No. 21 and 22 respectively in the d3soccer.com Top 25.

Rowan brought with them their patented physical style of play, which quickly led to a harried Maroons mistake in front for an own goal and a 1-0 Profs lead. The Maroons regained their footing as the game wore on and in the 30th minute, thanks to a nice set-piece by soph midfielder Vincente Mateus, found the equalizer. Mateus connected with streaking rookie defender Richard Gillespie who struck a header to tie the score. Neither team found the net over the next 80 minutes and the teams settled for a hard fought draw.

Against the Vikings, freshman Jay Vandermark scored two goals and again the Profs aggressively pressured throughout. This is the third game this season Vandermark as delivered a brace to propel the south Jersey school and he opened this streak with an assist from fellow rookie Wilby Alfred. It went to 2-nil after soph Stephan Mecke picked up his first of the year with frosh Leo Montesano assisting.

North Park had chances, but we’re generally stymied by the Profs defense and second-year goalie James Weinburg. The Vikings did break through late when William Sandkvist found Peder Olsen in the 83rd. It was Olson’s sixth of the year, but Vandermark stole the show and headlines – scoring just 42 seconds later to ice the win with an unassisted effort.

Mules stay undefeated, down Drew

The Muhlenberg Mules (4-0-1) took down the Drew Rangers (3-3-0) in Madison, NJ this past Wednesday. Freshman Chris Richards converted a PK just before the break and from there, it was up to senior goalie Raymond Leto and the four senior defenders to hold the shutout.

Hold they did, as a very good Drew attack could only muster a single shot on goal in the second half and the senior led Mules stayed unbeaten.

Games with impact this coming week

York (Pa.) v Johns Hopkins, Oglethorpe v Roanoke, Mary Washington v Catholic, Franklin and Marshall v Muhlenberg, Salisbury v Messiah, Salisbury v Catholic, Christopher Newport v Washington and Lee, Rowan v Haverford, Johns Hopkins v Haverford

Comments or feedback for the author? E-mail us.