ELMIRA, NY – The Medaille College Men's Soccer team kicked off their 2017 season this afternoon, traveling to Elmira to take on the Soaring Eagles in non-conference action. Junior keeper Matthew Gabalski (Elma, NY, St. Francis) pitched a shutout in his first career start, while sophomores Mitchell Ali (Southend, England, Southend) and Lachlan Wilkinson (Terigal, Australia, Central Coast) provided the offense for a (2-0) opening day win.

The Mavericks dominated possession in the first half, outshooting Elmira (7-2) in the opening frame. Despite out-touching the Soaring Eagles, Medaille found themselves in a scoreless draw as halftime approached.

However, in the (38') 2016 AMCC All-Conference Third Teamer Ali scooped up a loose ball in the offensive zone and buried it in the right corner to give Medaille the lead.

The Mavericks stellar play continued in the second half; but they just couldn't add to the lead. Elmira keeper Anthony Lipp made four saves in net for the Soaring Eagles, singe handedly keeping them in the contest.

Gabalski got his chance to match his counterparts play in the (85') when he came up with a huge save, stopping Elmira's Tony Barraco on a penalty kick to keep things at (1-0).

With time winding down Wilkinson, the 2016 AMCC Co-Offensive Player of the Year buried his first of the season off a feed from fellow sophomore James Lang (Cupar, Scotland, St. Leonards) to seal the (2-0) win.

The win starts Medaille off to a (1-0-0) start, and was also the first career win for Gabalski in net. The Mavs finished with a (16-7) edge in total shots and shots on goal (6-4). The Mavs hope to keep the strong start going on Sunday when they travel to Alfred State to take on the Pioneers at 1:00pm.