Warriors Run Out of Steam in Overtime Opener to No. 9 Mercer, 3-2

BROCKTON, Mass. ----- The Massasoit men's soccer team jumped out to a 2-0 lead against ninth-ranked Mercer County CC, but the Vikings forced overtime and won on a penalty kick in the 92^nd minute as the Warriors suffered a tough-luck loss in their season opener.

Undefeated Mercer (5-0) entered Saturday's match having outscored its competition 14-2, boasting a perfect 4-0 record. Massasoit (0-1) would not show any fear against the nationally ranked Vikings as Brockton native Maldini Da Fonseca one-timed a cross from Darcy Guimaraes (Rockland) into the back of the net in the 25^th minute to claim the early advantage.

In the 40^th minute, another Warrior newcomer, Saidon Bamba (Cape Verde), lofted a chip just over the head of the Viking keeper, off a pass from Charlie Swann (England), as Massasoit took a 2-0 lead over a stunned Mercer squad.

Mercer, who had ended Massasoit's at the Northeast District semifinals a year ago, answered right back when Daiki Nagata rocketed a shot from the top of the box to the back of the net, pulling the Vikings within a single goal at the half, 2-1.

In the second half, the Warriors legs started to wear down, as only suiting up 14 student-athletes on Saturday started to take its toll. Following intermission, Mercer outshot Massasoit 17-3, as the Warrior defense and keeper David Isaac (Brockton) would bend but not break, clinging to the one-goal lead.

Unfortunately, at the 70:03 mark, Mercer would break through as Matheus Martins scored in the box off a corner kick for the equalizer to even the score at 2-2.

As momentum swung in the favor the visitors, Massasoit held off the nationally ranked Vikings the rest of regulation as the game went to overtime.

In the overtime period, a penalty in the box was called on Massasoit in the 92^nd minute as Martins roped home the golden goal on a penalty kick to win the game for the Vikings.

"The potential is definitely there for us," head coach Rui Estrela said. "For it being our first game against a very strong, ranked team in Mercer, I thought we held our own. We lost our legs down the stretch and we couldn't put the pressure on that we needed to. When you are up 2-0 and you drop that pressure, good teams are going to make you pay and that is what Mercer did to us today. We will learn from today and keep moving forward. There are better things ahead for us."

Isaac finished with seven saves in net for the Warriors in his first collegiate contest.

Mercer outshot Massasoit 30-8 for the game.

The Warriors are off until next Saturday, when they trek to Monroe CC for a 1 PM start in Rochester, New York.