Sea Gulls notch 2-1 victory over Geneseo State in the first match of 2010 Elmer Lord Classic

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 victory over Geneseo State on the first day of the 2010 Elmer Lord Memorial Soccer Classic at the SU Soccer Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Sea Gulls (2-0) put the pressure on the Knights (0-1-1) immediately as they created a number of quality scoring opportunities in the first half. Just 11 minutes in, senior forward Mike Napolitano ripped a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box that bounced off the goalie and struck the pipe before being cleared away by a Geneseo defender. SU would continue to create opportunities before finally breaking through in the game's 32nd minute. SU junior forward Stafford Chipungu collected a played ball just inside the 18-yard box before dumping it off to freshman midfielder Jake Perry on the six-yard line. Perry neatly placed the ball into the goal for his first collegiate tally. For the half, the Sea Gulls outshot the Knights 10-4 and held a 2-1 corner kick advantage.

The maroon and gold struck just two minutes into the second half off of a corner kick. SU senior defender Casey Rector met his head with the ball on the back post and directed the ball towards the goal. It grazed off the near post and moved towards the middle of the goal where Napolitano pushed it over the end-line for the eventual game-winning goal. The Knights countered with a goal of their own just two minutes later off of a throw-in. Ben Ariola sent in a long throw-in from the left corner that Ian Mort directed to the top left corner of the Sea Gull net. The next 40 minutes of play included a number of quality scoring chances for each side, but the Sea Gulls would hold on for their second win of the season.

SU junior goalkeeper Brandon Mumby notched his second career victory with a stout performance in which he made four saves and provided great distribution throughout the match. Geneseo State goalkeeper Sam Murphy kept the Knights in the contest with six quality saves in the match.

For the match, the Sea Gulls held a 20-11 shots advantage and won seven corner kicks compared to two for the Knights.

Salisbury will close out play in the tournament with a 3 p.m. match against Elizabethtown College (0-0) on Sunday afternoon.