The Misericordia men's soccer team won 1-0 over King's in a downpour, Saturday evening at Mangelsdorf Field in their MAC Freedom home opener.

Matt Norcini scored the lone goal while David Malaquias and Niko Amity each had an assist.

Misericordia created their first scoring opportunity 13 minutes into the contest.

Devin Marriott launched in a throw from the left side that Norcini flicked to Anthony Ippolito who blasted a shot towards goal, but it went over the crossbar.

In the 21^st minute the Cougars looked to score, again off a long throw from Marriott. This time Ethan Aigeldinger flicked the ball to Trey Ziegler who whipped a shot towards the far post that sailed just wide of the goal.

With eight minutes to go in the half, MU was fouled near half field. Dante Ippolito took the free kick and the ball bounced around the box before ending up in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because MU was offsides.

In the final seconds of the first half Tristan Snyder played in a corner from the right side. The ball wound up on the foot of D. Ippolito who volleyed the ball towards goal, but the Monarchs keeper managed to save it.

The teams went into the half scoreless with each team having taken four shots.

Thirty three seconds into the second half, A. Ippolito laced a ball through the teeth of the King's defense to a sprinting Norcini. He got past the keeper but had his shot blocked by a King's defender at the last second.

In the 52^nd minute they found their eventual winner.

Malaquias trapped a long ball and played the ball down the right side to Amity. Amity saved the ball from going over the end line and played it low to the far post where a waiting Norcini tapped it in to give MU their 1-0 lead.

In the 69^th minute, A. Ippolito played a ball to an onrushing Aigeldinger who backed heeled right back to him and A. Ippolito ripped a shot towards goal, but the keeper stopped it.

With under two minutes remaining, a King's forward shook free in the box and gave the MU fans a scare with his shot but it went wide.

Matt Smith made one save to get the shutout.

The Cougars outshot the Monarchs 17-9 and had the advantage in corners, 14-4.

MU will play at Dickinson, Wednesday at 7:00.