COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Rocco Mesoraca made sure his collegiate debut – and that of his coach – was one neither will soon forget.
The freshman pounced on a loose ball in the box and scored into an empty net with just 38.3 seconds to play in the second overtime period, giving the Ursinus men's soccer team a thrilling 1-0 victory over visiting Susquehanna in the season opener for both squads. Mesoraca's sudden-victory strike, which came after the River Hawks keeper bobbled a looping pass, made the Bears a winner in the season's lid lifter for the first time since 2007 and handed new manager Keith Cappo a hard-earned three points in his first contest as a head coach.
After 90 minutes of scoreless action, the physical affair went to extra time, where the Bears nearly stole a victory just 41 seconds into the third frame. Sophomore Ben Amaral hit a cutting Ryan Molyneaux with a nice pass into the box, but the senior's one-touch effort was stoned at the near post.
Both sides had multiple looks at corner kicks over the ensuing 19 minutes and change, until the dam finally broke in astounding fashion. After an Ursinus corner, freshman Colin Klingman chased down the River Hawks' attempted clearance and sent a high-arching ball into the box. Susquehanna keeper Ian Lawlor rushed out to claim, but dropped the ball at the top of his jump. As it fell, Mesoraca touched it to himself with his left foot before following the rebound and finishing into a wide-open net and setting off a wild celebration on the home sideline.
Mesoraca's goal was the latest game-winner for Ursinus since Andrew Machalick scored at the 109:51 mark in a double-overtime victory over Alvernia in 2010.
With the heart-stopping triumph, Ursinus snapped a six-game losing streak in season openers and shut out their first opponent for the first time since a scoreless draw against Moravian in 2009. The Bears avenged a 2-1 extra-time setback at the hands of Susquehanna a year ago.
Senior goalkeeper Vince Maiorino made the only save he needed to post his third career shutout for the Bears, who held a 14-7 advantage in shots and an 8-6 edge in corner kicks. Amaral led the attack with four shots, followed by three from Ryan Molyneaux and two by fellow senior captain Noah Kimelheim.
Lawlor stopped two shots for the River Hawks, who got two saves from defenders in keeping the ball out of the net for more than 109 minutes.
Klingman and fellow rookie Joe Kilday started in their Bear debuts.
Ursinus will look to build on its momentum with a non-conference contest at Misericordia on Saturday. Kick-off is set for 5:00 p.m.
