The Sacred Heart University men’s soccer team secured a 1-0 victory against Mount Saint Mary’s on Oct. 4, keeping their undefeated record in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play. The match took place at Park Avenue Field in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The result is significant for Sacred Heart, which now holds a 5-3-2 overall record and a perfect 4-0 mark in conference games. Mount St. Mary’s fell to 1-5-4 overall and 1-2 in the MAAC.
Danny Istambouli scored the only goal of the match in the 80th minute, assisted by first-year player Matt Sarro. The Pioneers dominated offensively throughout the game, outshooting Mount St. Mary’s 12-0 in the first half and maintaining pressure into the second half. Senior captain David Garcia Gallego nearly put Sacred Heart ahead earlier with a shot that hit the crossbar in the 75th minute.
Goalkeeper Luca Marinelli made two saves to earn his fifth win of the season and preserve a clean sheet for Sacred Heart. In contrast, Mount St. Mary’s goalkeeper Julian Marcos recorded seven saves but conceded Istambouli’s decisive goal.
Istambouli’s goal was his first game-winner of the season, while Sarro notched his first career point with the assist. In the final moments of play, Marinelli made an athletic save to prevent an equalizer from Mount Saint Mary’s and secure three points for his team.
Looking ahead, Sacred Heart will continue its MAAC schedule on Saturday, Oct. 11, traveling to Siena for a match at Hickey Field scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
