MARYVILLE – Goalkeeper
Mykal Manfred made multiple difficult saves, including one on a penalty kick to hold Birmingham-Southern scoreless and lead the Scots to a 2-0 victory Wednesday night at the MC Soccer Complex.
Manfred tied his season-high with 11 saves, his most since September 13, in a 2-2 tie against Sewanee. The senior faced a total of 18 shots, as the Panthers outshot MC 18-14.
"Mychal looked like a fifth-year senior," Maryville head coach
Pepe Fernandez said. "He was great out there tonight. And it was the first time in history that we started four first-years on defense, and then our fifth holding midfielder was a first-year too. We've never done that in 34 years. We rested
Noah Putman tonight and we rested
Grayson Dugan and went with four first-years and they were so good."
Both Maryville goals came in the first half, with
Jorge Graniel opening the scoring in the 24th minute. After a pass into the box was deflected by a Panther defender, Graniel rebounded and fired into the lower left corner for his second goal of the season.
Just six minutes later, in the 30th minute,
Hyatt MacDonald scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season. The first-year forward found the back of the net with a header following a 25-yard cross from
Craig McIlwraith. MacDonald is now tied for third in the CCS in goals while McIlwraith is tied for first with seven assists this season.
MC was quiet in the second half, but the defense shined as the Scots held BSC scoreless in the final 45 minutes despite an 11-5 shot disadvantage.
The Panthers best scoring opportunity came in the 57th minute when a penalty in the box gave them a PK. BSC's Trey Kirksey fired one into the lower left corner but Manfred was able to dive in front and maintain the shutout.
"Our first half was really strong," Fernandez said. "And then in the second half, we kind of played like 'Y'all have to come after us, and we're going to counter you.' We had a couple of counters in the first half."
"Hyatt's goal was unbelievable after a great cross from Craig. Just fantastic. And then Jorge putting us in front there. It was a good team performance."
Maryville has a few days off before they are back in action Saturday afternoon for a Homecoming matchup against CCS-foe Huntingdon. The Scots will be celebrating Senior Night prior to the match. Kick off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
