Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. – Powered by the game-winning goal in the 39th minute from senior Manuel Achondo (Santiago, Chile/Colegio Del Verbo Divino), the No. 1 seeded Mercy College men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over No. 4 seeded Molloy College in an East Coast Conference (ECC) Men's Soccer Championship Semifinal on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (14-3-2) advance to the Championship Game for the second straight year and will host No. 2 seed Bridgeport on Saturday, November 16th at 12 p.m. The 14 wins are the most in a season since 1986. The Lions (12-6-1) see their season come to an end with the loss.

Achondo scored his fifth goal of the season and junior Joel Serrano (Arecibo, P.R./Marshalltown CC) made three saves to post the shutout win.

Molloy was led by Anthony Cestaro who had a shot on goal. Dennis Mejia made six saves to take the loss.

Senior Gaston Rozenblum (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Escuelas Tecnicas ORT) recorded the first shot on goal of the game in the 15th minute and Mejia made two more stops in the 26th and 29th minutes to keep the game scoreless. Serrano made his first save in the 32nd minute on an Angelo Bordenca shot.

Mercy finally got on the scoreboard in the 39th minute when Achondo scored on a penalty kick following a Molloy foul in the box to make it 1-0. The score remained 1-0 at halftime with Mercy holding an 8-1 edge in shots.

The second half saw Serrano make two more saves to keep the Lions off the board and the Mavericks held on for the win to advance to the ECC Championship Game.

Mercy held a 17-3 edge in shots and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Pedro Velazquez and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, November 16th when they host Bridgeport in the ECC Championship Game at 12 p.m.

Provided by the Mercy Sports Information Department.