(Posted October 20, 2007)

KINGS POINT, N.Y. - A three-goal outburst by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy was enough to lift the Mariners to a 5-2 lead over Juniata College, in Landmark Conference men\'s soccer action Saturday afternoon in Kings Point, N.Y. The Eagles jumped out an early lead, following Brandon Grim\'s (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown) unassisted goal in the third minute of play. The lead did not last, however, as USMMA responded just 50 seconds later with Kyle Luetjen\'s goal to deadlock the game at 1-1. Chad Weller (Newport, Pa./Newport) again gave the Eagles the lead, when he scored in the 13th minute off an assist by Grim. The Mariners\' David Poulnot scored in the 27th minute, sending the teams into the locker room at halftime tied at 2-2. Neither team could score over the first 25 minutes of the second half, until Luetjen ended the second half scoring drought in the 71st minute with his second goal of the day. Chris Flanagan expanded the Mariner lead to 4-2 with a goal in the 79th minute, and Luetjen closed out the scoring and completed the hat trick with a goal in the 86th minute. Joe Kohler (Vienna, Va./James Madison) played all 90 minutes in the Juniata goal, and was credited with four saves. USMMA keeper Preston Stokes was also credited with four saves during the match. Merchant Marine outshot the Eagles 20-8, and had six corner kick opportunities to Juniata\'s three. The Eagles close out their 2007 season on Saturday, Oct. 27, when they host Goucher College in a Landmark Conference doubleheader clash with the Juniata\'s women\'s squad. The women\'s game will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the men\'s game at 3:30 p.m. -30-

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.