Box Score Box Score
DALLAS, Pa. – Playing their first match as a ranked team, No. 25 Susquehanna defeated a tough Misericordia team 2-1 in non-conference soccer action on Wednesday evening.
The Crusaders (6-0) got on the board in the 17th minute after junior Andrew Hayes (Hoboken, N.J. / St. Peter's Prep) took a feed from John Boylan (Hazlet, N.J. / St. John Vianney) and fired a shot past the Cougar keeper to give SU the early 1-0 lead.
But the Cougars (3-2) responded almost immediately, scoring in the 19th minute off a rebound initially stopped by Matt Salsman (Selinsgrove, Pa. / Selinsgrove Area) after a corner kick. The tally was the first goal given up by Salsman in the last three matches, breaking a 333:21scoreless streak.
The Crusaders made one last push in the opening period as sophomore Joe DeLuca (Freehold, N.J. / St. John Vianney) had a great scoring chance in the 44th minute but hit the crossbar.
At intermission, the match was evenly played with both teams firing nine shots. SU had the edge in corners, 6-3.
SU had several scoring chances in the second half until Hayes scored his second of the match, this time in the 82nd minute, giving the Crusaders the 2-1 lead late in the period.
Misericordia nearly got the equalizer in the 86th minute, hitting the post with a shot but the Crusaders held on for the road win.
DeLuca and Hayes led SU with five shots apiece. Salsman registered six saves and faced 19 shots.
The Crusaders travel to PSU-Altoona on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 p.m.
