NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - Merrimack (3-5-1) earned a convincing 3-0 victory over Niagara (4-4) in NCAA men's soccer action on Wednesday afternoon. The Warriors controlled play throughout to secure their first clean sheet of the season before a crowd of 312 at Martone-Mejail Field.
Adam Abdelaal led the Warriors' attack with multiple dangerous chances in the first half, including a close-range effort in the 14th minute. Keller Cassidy and Herman Rugland also registered quality shots on goal as Merrimack built their advantage through sustained offensive pressure.
The first half saw Merrimack establish dominance early, outshooting Niagara 8-4 through 45 minutes. Reon Tezuka provided Niagara's best opportunity in the 2nd minute with a shot that sailed high. The Warriors' midfield control, led by Bor Zunec and Nicolo Vallocchia, kept Niagara pinned in their defensive third for extended stretches.
Merrimack's pressure continued after the break, with Theom Samba forcing a save in the 62nd minute. Niagara's Jeremy Talsma tried to spark a comeback with two shots in the 77th minute, but both were blocked. The Warriors made tactical adjustments throughout the second half, with head coach bringing on fresh legs through multiple substitutions, including Lucas Depeppe who added energy to the attack.
The final statistics reflected Merrimack's control, as they outshot Niagara 14-10 overall and 10-1 in shots on target. The Warriors earned one corner kick to Niagara's three, while the physical match saw multiple fouls from both sides. Merrimack's Pasquale Iaia received the only yellow card in the 84th minute for unsporting behavior.
Several Warriors delivered standout performances, with Adam Abdelaal recording three shots on target before being substituted in the 49th minute. Goalkeeper John Labelle secured the clean sheet with one save, while his counterpart for Niagara made seven stops in a busy afternoon. Herman Rugland's creative midfield play helped maintain Merrimack's possession advantage throughout the match.
Tactically, Merrimack's high press disrupted Niagara's build-up play, forcing turnovers in advantageous positions. The Purple Eagles attempted to counter through Chase Dade and Juan Cardona, but struggled to create clear chances against Merrimack's organized defensive unit led by Jonathan Kratz and Gabriele Bosio.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Merrimack following consecutive losses to Mount St. Mary's and Sacred Heart. For Niagara, the defeat ends a two-game winning streak that included victories over Le Moyne and Rider, highlighting the competitive nature of conference play.
Both teams made extensive use of their benches, with Merrimack executing six substitutions and Niagara making seven changes throughout the match. The Warriors' depth proved crucial in maintaining their high-energy pressing game for the full 90 minutes.
Looking ahead, Merrimack will aim to build on this performance when they visit Manhattan on October 4, while Niagara returns home to host Marist on the same day, seeking to bounce back from this setback.