Warriors Win It! NEC Newcomer Merrimack Claims Men's Soccer Regular Season Crown - Northeast Conference Skip To Main Content
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Warriors Win It! NEC Newcomer Merrimack Claims Men's Soccer Regular Season Crown

11/3/2019


Links: Box Score 
Video: Highlights // Postgame Celebration

North Andover, MA -- It was once again senior captain Mirko Nufi with the game on his foot late in the game on Sunday night.  The defensive back lined up his third penalty kick in the last five games and like the others this one also found the back of the net.  With the win, the Warriors earned their first Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season championship.  The title is also the school's first since becoming a member of the conference in September, and first Division I Conference Championship in Merrimack history. 

The Basics
Score: Merrimack 2, Fairleigh Dickinson 1
Records: Merrimack (10-3-2, 8-0-0 NEC) | Fairleigh Dickinson (6-8-2, 2-4-2 NEC)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

The Summary
  • The Warriors first goal was scored early on in the fifth minute when freshman Alessandro Negri came streaking down the side and kick a cross to senior Aasmund Joedahl who headed it past the Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper.
  • The Knights struck back right before the end of the half in the 43rd minute.  Peter Kozlej scored to give Fairleigh Dickinson momentum heading into halftime.
  • Things remained tied until late in the 2nd overtime period.  Junior Filippo Begliardi Ghidini drew a foul on the Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper to give Merrimack an opportunity for a penalty kick.  Nufi lined the kick up and knocked it home to give the Warriors a 2-1 and a regular season conference championship.  
Stats & Figures
  • Sunday gave the men's soccer program its fifth Regular Season Conference Championship in school history; the previous four came in the Northeast-10 Conference, most recently in 2012
  • The men's soccer program joined Cal Baptist's baseball team as recent institutions to win a regular season conference title in their first year of Division I reclassification
  • The game-winner by Nufi is his third of the season, all via penalty kicks.
  • In addition to his assist Negri had two shots on goal in the game which tied him for the lead with Gianluca Arlotti
  • Merrimack had 21 shots compared to Fairleigh Dickinson's four
  • The Knights received two yellow cards during the game
Up Next
Merrimack concludes their regular season on Sunday, November 10th.  It is senior day at Martone-Mejail field.  Kickoff is set for 1p.m.