Box Score Dugan's first career goal not enough
MARYVILLE – A second-half goal by Grayson Dugan would not be enough for Maryville College men's soccer on Saturday, as the Scots fell 2-1 in the Turk Emekli Classic in Washington, D.C.
The host school – Catholic University – took advantage of a first-half penalty goal and a score in the scrum to take the non-conference victory.
"I told the guys that earlier in the year, we wanted to go on the road against a top, nationally-ranked team," Head Coach Pepe Fernandez said. "We did. We had a rough finish with some younger players in the first half, but other than that, we played really well. We created good chances, scored a fantastic goal, and we put ourselves in position to tie the game or win the game late. We're really happy, especially in the second half, with how we played. We settled in and looked like a true Maryville team with our press and our possession. Other than the final score, we're really happy with the way we played."
The Cardinals got on the board in the first half, after a hard tackle from behind inside the box gave Catholic a penalty kick opportunity. Gordie Bernlohr's shot went just inside the right post in the 40th minute, as the Scots trailed 1-0.
With just 16 seconds remaining in the first half, Catholic struck again. A corner kick by Domenico Caltabiano sailed into the far side of the box, as it ping-ponged off both Scots and Cardinals. Ryan Bradby collected the ball just in front of the net, blasting the goal from the mix for a 2-0 lead at the break.
Catholic (1-0) led the way in the opening 45 minutes, taking 11 shots to Maryville's five. Maryville (1-1) had seven fouls to six, as Mykal Manfred recorded half a dozen saves.
Maryville managed just two second-half shots, but the Scots were able to make one connect.
In the 75th minute, Dugan notched his first collegiate goal in the Orange and Garnet.
"He just played great," Fernandez said. "It was a complete accident where he clipped the kids heels on the penalty kick. He did not mean to, but it was a foul. Then, he comes in and scores one of the best goals we've scored in a while. It was just a fantastic goal, and for a freshman to get that type of goal against a nationally-ranked team on the road, it's pretty impressive. He's started the year looking great, and we're really happy with this group of players."
A pass to the middle of the box found Jorge Graniel. Graniel found his first collegiate assist, as he one-touched it to the left side to Dugan. The freshman from Franklin, Tenn. blasted a shot across the goal, finding the upper right corner to make the final, 2-1.
Maryville will return to action tomorrow, as the Scots take on day two of the Turk Emekly Classic. The Scots tangle with Shenandoah University at noon.
