Dobbs Ferry, NY |  The College of Staten Island Men's Soccer team hung in there till the end and battled valiantly through 90 minutes, but in the end a second-half goal was the difference, as the Dolphins were downed by No. 11 Mercy College, 1-0, on the Mavericks' campus this afternoon.  The win lifted CSI's future ECC-opponent to 10-1-1 overall, while the Dolphins have fallen to 6-5-1.

The pre-game rankings did not phase the Dolphins, as they played confidently and poised from start to finish in this one, and despite perhaps giving up possession in spurts, both teams had to battle for quality scoring chances, taking a 0-0 stalemate into halftime.

CSI keeper Jake Foeldes parried a Mercy shot just 14 seconds in the game, but the Mavericks would not get another on goal until the 21st minute, a chance by Gaston Rozenblum turned aside by Foeldes again.  Meanwhile, CSI's Daniel Angulo was able to get a shot on frame in the 9th minute that MC keeper Jordan Williams handled with ease.  

CSI would get their best chance of the game in the 38th minute, when Wilson Quintero put one on frame that Williams was able to get to but not without allowing a rebound that Patrick Longo nearly squeezed in before the MC defense was there to sweep the ball away and avoid the disaster.  At the half, despite being out-shot overall, 9-7, CSI held the slim, 3-2, edge in shots on goal.

To start the second half, the teams again played 50/50 soccer.  Both teams controlled possession in spurts, and were stingy defensively, but Mercy finally took advantage when a defensive clearance error led to Matthias Kuhn being able to cross one into that box that Ignacio Mangada was able to place in passed an outstretched Foeldes to give the Mavericks the lead it would never relinquish at 62:08.

With about 28 minutes to go, CSI was all about trying to get an equalizer, but it proved hard to come by.  The Dolphins got off just one shot, coming in the 83rd minute, sent off-target by Philip Lefkowitz, as Mercy committed itself to populating the back with heavy numbers.

After 90 full minutes, Mercy led the final shot count, 16-10 (5-4 on goal) and also held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.  Mercy led the shot count, 24-14, but there were six yellow cautions given, five of them to CSI (Chris Vendra, Erick Conde, Christopher Tenempaguay, Joe Bolella, Jahmali Peterson).  Mercy was booked once (Santiago Corrall).

Up next for CSI, the Dolphins will focus again on CUNYAC competition, as they take on Baruch College at Randall's Island on Wednesday, at 5 pm.