Men’s Soccer: Hawks rally for 2-1 win over Lewis

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Junior forward Nick McDonald nailed a shot from seven yards out with 1:32 left in the second overtime to rally 10th-ranked Rockhurst to a 2-1 victory over Lewis (Ill.) on Sunday at RU’s Bourke Field.

The Hawks have now won or tied their last 23 games dating back to last season. Rockhurst finished the 2011 season with a 14-0-3 record and have started out the 2012 season with a 5-0-1 record. The school record for consecutive games without a loss is 24, accomplished during the 1981 and ’82 seasons.

McDonald also assisted on the game-tying goal in the 83rd minute. He fed a pass to senior forward John Merlo, who put a shot from 18 yards out inside the
right post. The goal was Merlo’s first collegiate goal.

Lewis took a 1-0 lead at the 71:29 mark on a header from five yards out. The Flyers out been outshot 13-0 prior to their goal. Rockhurst finished with 18 shots, while Lewis collected eight shots. Merlo led the Hawks with five shots. Junior goalkeeper Ryan Bass made three saves.

On Friday, McDonald scored two goals to lead the Hawks to a 3-0 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside in their home opener at Bourke Field. McDonald scored his first goal in the 59th minute on a header from 12 yards out with an assist from Jon Schreiber. McDonald came back 65 seconds later to score his second goal on a touch in front of the goal. Mark Magee and Scoppola were credited with assists on Rockhurst’s third goal. Junior midfielder Paolo Scoppola headed in a shot off the crossbar from four yards out with an  assist from Joe Zang to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead at the 53:38 mark.

The Hawks, ranked first in the NSCAA Division II Midwest Region poll, outshot the Rangers 19-9 while recording 12 shots on goal. McDonald and Scoppola led Rockhurst with three shots apiece. Ruben Perez, McDonald and Scoppola each posted two shots on goal. Bass collected four saves.

Rockhurst is tied for first place in the GLVC with Quincy with a 4-0 record. The Hawks next face Missouri-St. Louis on Friday night in St. Louis.