Men’s soccer eyes postseason play

Melanie Parncutt

October 24, 2019

Sports

Stevenson men’s soccer falls 1-0 to Lycoming on Saturday night at Mustang Stadium in Owings Mills.

Stevenson men’s soccer team is fighting for a spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs, hoping to bring home a MAC championship this 2019.

The Mustangs are 10-4-2 overall and have three important conference games left. They are currently tied for third in the MAC Commonwealth, sitting at 3-2 in conference, with three big wins in the MAC already.

The Mustangs blanked Albright College 3-0, beat Lebanon Valley College in double overtime, and had four different goal scorers in their 4-0 win against Hood College.

Sophomore midfielder Dale Boring heads the ball to a teammate. The Mustangs fell to Lycoming University 1-0 in a hard-fought game Oct. 19. (Photo by Sabina Moran)

Junior captain Dylan Holy said those wins gave the team momentum, especially the exciting win over Lebanon Valley, who finished in the MAC top three last year.

However, the Mustangs also have had some tough losses, most recently dropping a 1-0 game against Lycoming University on Oct 19. The Warriors scored in the opening minute, and then were held scoreless the rest of the game, according gomustangsports.com.

The Mustangs also dropped a conference game to Alvernia University on Oct. 11. After outshooting the Golden Wolves 18-6, the Mustangs fell 1-0 at the final.

Moving forward, Graeme Millar, director of soccer and head coach, said they are focusing on tightening up set pieces and finishing their chances. The Mustangs hope to finish in the top three of the conference, as they were picked to finish fourth in 2019 preseason poll.

Sophomore midfielder Alex Morales corrals the ball in an attempt to split two defenders. (Photo by Sabina Moran)

Millar said the confidence carried over from their strong returning group has been really impactful this season, and the leadership has propelled the team to success.

Junior forward Jay Smith leads the team in points at 19, with seven goals and five assists. Senior captain DR Medtart follows Smith with 8 points on the season, tallying three goals and two assists.

Both Millar and junior defender Jevan Leyh said that the team’s younger players have stepped up this season, especially the sophomore class including goalkeeper Matt Stellitano, Sean McDonald, and Alex Morales.

Alex Morales is third on the team in points, netting six goals so far. McDonald has had two goals and an assist ,and Stellitano has six shutouts on the season.

The Mustangs’ next game is against Widener University on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. in Mustang Stadium.

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