Rochester, NY – A solid first half performance wasn't enough for the Roberts Wesleyan men's soccer team to defeat unbeaten conference opponent Mercy College as the Mavericks went on to a 2-0 win Sunday evening.
 
The Redhawks came out of the blocks aggressively getting off three shots in the first ten minutes. One of the best opportunities came in the 12^th minute when senior Will Cornfield connected on a header off a cross from the right side of the field. The ball was deflected near the goal line and was cleared. The Redhawks kept at it when senior Malcolm Shaw nearly notched the first goal of the game off a header, but Maverick's goalkeeper Kwantarian Van der L kept the ball from crossing the goal line.
 
With momentum in hand and half-time only minutes away the Redhawks conceded the first goal of the game in the 42^nd minute. Mercy's Gonzalo Prando ran onto a driven ball into the box and finished giving the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Donovan Cesar.
 
A storm passing through during the half-time break caused for an extra 40-minute delay before the second half could get started.
 
"I thought we had some good momentum in the first half," head coach Scott Reber said. "But we came out flat in the second half. That can't happen against a solid conference team."
 
Roberts Wesleyan (1-6) was able to outshoot Mercy in the second half 11-9 but Van der L controlled the box despite shots skipping off the soaked playing surface.
 
A goal in the 84^th minute by Ericson Penate sealed the game for the Mavericks giving the team their fourth straight victory. The goal was assisted on by Maximiliano Rebolled.
 
Starting goalkeeper Ben Hastings made seven saves in net.
 
Roberts Wesleyan looks forward to Saturday's homecoming game against Bentley University at 3:30 p.m. to get back into the win column.