Newburgh, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent entered Saturday afternoon winners of their only Skyline Conference contest this season, and were looking to keep their winning ways in tact against Mount Saint Mary College. The Dolphins battled the Knights on a rainy Kaplan Field, but it was the home team who walked away victorious, hanging onto a 10-9 win despite a strong second half comeback by UMSV. The loss put the Dolphins at 4-6 overall this season. 

UMSV saw struggles on the offensive side of the field during the first half. It wasn't for a lack of trying, as the Dolphins took 16 shots during that span, including 11 that reached the net. Freshman Elvis Prempeh tied things up with just two seconds left in the first quarter while senior Rene Alamo made it a one goal game with just over nine minutes remaining in the half. The Knights, meanwhile, would punch in six goals of their own. Prempeh would convert another shot attempt before the break to bring the score to 6-3. 

The Dolphins saw their intensity translate to success on both ends of the field, specifically in the third quarter. 

In a run that spanned just under five minutes, head coach James Fitzgerald's offense tied the game at seven. Isaac Parsons and Chai Dunlap got things going with a pair of goals within two minutes and 23 seconds of each other. From there, midfielder Ethan Fajardo streaked behind the defense all the way towards the net and was found by Parsons. Fajardo was able to fight off a tough hit from the Knights for his first goal of the season. UMSV would earn a man advantage opportunity, and Alamo would score on a doorstep opportunity to even the playing field. 

The defense, too, stepped up their game. Freshman Max Mills, who received his second start of the season, allowed just one goal in the third. Freshman Brandon Mestres caused a turnover while Jake Luxoro, Walker Moore, Jackson Taylor and Leland Perez chipped in defensively. 

The momentum carried into the final quarter, but it came while the game was out of reach. The Knights opened the fourth with a three goal run to regain the advantage. Prempeh scored two more goals with under four minutes to play, but the one goal would be the difference. 

Prempeh would lead the way with four goals while Alamo added a pair. Parsons, Dunlap and Sam Hall would each pick up assists in the loss. Mestres added a team-high four ground balls and two caused turnovers while attackman Nigel Walker had a pair of caused turnovers as well. 

The Dolphins head to Purchase to challenge Manhattanville University on Saturday.