MUKALA’S GAME WINNER PROPELS PRIDE TO VICTORY

WESTON, Mass. – Christian Mukala (Malden, Mass.) scored the game winning goal during the 75th minute of action as the Regis College men's soccer team came from behind and defeated non-conference opponent Mount Ida College 3-2 during their home opener on Labor Day. The Pride improved to 2-1 with the victory and the loss dropped the Mustangs to 1-2.

Mukala was in the right place at the right time during a free kick as Dillon Lanctot's (Somersworth, N.H.) initial shot was deflected by Mustang goalkeeper Riley Ford (Guiderland, N.Y.) right to Mukala who deposited the game clincher in the back of the net.

During the first half both squads had numerous chances to crack the scoring column. Mt. Ida had the first opportunity to take the lead when the Mustangs were set up in the Pride defensive zone. The ball was then crossed into the box to Carlos Martinez (Chelsea, Mass.) who went up for the ball and headed it towards the open net. He tried to control the ball the best he could, but it wasn't enough as the header was shot just wide of the net.

The Pride's first real chance came off a handball which set up a free kick opportunity just outside the box. Amandio Ferreira (Dorchester, Mass.) lofted the free kick towards the net where Brendan Plasczynski (Bristol, Conn.) was waiting patiently. He collected the ball and rifled a one timer to the net that was turned away by Riley Ford.

Mt. Ida had another great chance during the 21st minute when Martinez saw Tyler Grothusen (Ramsey, N.J.) breaking to the front of the net. Martinez put the pass right on the money as Grothusen made one step and ripped a shot that was turned away by Pride goalie Manny Santiago (Bristol, Conn.)

Three minutes later, the Mustangs finally broke through. After the ball was headed out of the defensive zone by a Mt. Ida player, Nick Vreeland (Berlin, Conn.) collected the ball and saw Carlos Martinez breaking down the field. Martinez used his speed and got behind the defense as Vreeland placed a perfect through ball to him. Martinez then found himself having a one-on-one opportunity with Manny Santiago, who bit on Martinez's ball fake and came out to the top of the box. Martinez made his way past the aggressive Santiago and fired a shot into the open net that gave the Mustangs the early 1-0 lead.

The were no other close scoring chances until the wild end to the first half as three goals were scored during the final five minutes before the intermission.

During the 40th minute junior forward Don Gomez (Lynn, Mass.) turned on the jets and drove the ball down the left side of the pitch. Once he got down into the Mustang defensive zone, he crossed the ball to his former high-school teammate Jefferson Lorimer (Lynn, Mass.), who chipped the ball into the bottom left of the net to knot up the score at 1-1.

Not even a minute later, Mt. Ida capitalized on a Regis turnover at midfield. Just like the first Mustang goal, Jeremy Sayers (Portsmouth, N.H.) placed a through ball to Juan Brenes (Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico) who beat Santiago one-on-one to reclaim a 2-1 advantage.

The Pride kept fighting however as they took the ball right down the field after the goal. Gomez added his second helper of the contest when he passed the ball into traffic to Daniel Calderone (Wellesley, Mass.). Calderone put a low shot at the net that snuck by Riley Ford to tie up the score at 2-2 heading into the break.

The second half was another story, as the Pride controlled the ball for the majority of the half. They outshot the Mustangs 10-2 during the second stanza and held the advantage in corner kicks 10-1; including an absurd seven corner kick opportunities during the first 15 minutes of the half.

The Pride came back from one goal deficits twice during the contest showing the unwillingness to quit and Mukala's tally gave the Pride their first lead of the game, a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Manny Santiago earned the victory improving his record to 2-1 on the young season while making three saves in net. Santiago is only two wins away from becoming the winningest goalie in program history.

Riley Ford took the loss as he dropped to 1-2 on the season and stopped five shots.

The Pride remain in Weston for their next two contests as they continue their non-conference slate of games against New England College on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.