Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.- The College of Saint Rose men's soccer team fell 3-2 to Mercy University in its 2023 season opener this afternoon at Mercy Field.

The senior pair of Hilmar Halldorsson and Valerii Burlacenco each tallied goals for Saint Rose in the setback.

The Golden Knights fell behind early after goals from Mateo Bacigualupo and Johannes Hanken Tjostheim gave the Mavericks a 2-0 lead through 23 minutes. 

Saint Rose earned a penalty kick in the 34th minute and Haldorsson capitalized from the spot to give the Golden Knights their first goal of the fall campaign. 

After trailing Mercy 2-1 going into the break, but it wouldn't take long for the Golden Knights to equalize things in the second half. Less than five minutes into the second frame, Burlacenco would get his name on the score sheet as he finished a pass from Haldorsson to tie the game at 2-2. 

Tjostheim would give the Mavericks the lead for good just four minutes later, scoring his second goal of the day on a feed from Carlos Fernandes to make it 3-2. 

Saint Rose will be back in action Tuesday at 3:30 pm as the Golden Knights head to Orangeburg, N.Y. to take on the Dominican University.

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