BOSTON, Mass. - Sophomore Max DeLuca's (Rockland, Mass.) goal 31 minutes into the first half was enough to propel the Emerson men's soccer team to their first NEWMAC win in a 1-0 triumph over Coast Guard on Saturday afternoon at Rotch Field. 

With the win, Emerson improves to 3-7 and 1-3 in NEWMAC play, while Coast Guard slips to 8-3-1 and 2-2 against NEWMAC opponents. 

Emerson junior keeper Lucas Fischer (Atlanta, Ga.) recorded his second shutout of the season and improves to 3-7 and made four saves through 90 minutes between the pipes. Coast Guard freshman keeper Dakota Harich (New Market, Md.) was tagged with the loss and had three saves through 74 minutes, while junior Jake Sorenson (Oakdale, Conn.) relieved Harich and had two saves. 

Through the first 45 minutes, Emerson was proficient in spacing themselves out on the field and creating scoring chances when in its own offensive zone. The Lions defense also slowed down Coast Guard and allowed the Bears to just three shots in the half. 31 minutes through the first half, Emerson struck first and took the 1-0 lead over Coast Guard. Senior Samir Beria (Sterling, Va.) recovered the ball at midfield and crossed a pass over to senior Duncan Bochicchio (Los Angeles, Calif.) in the middle. Bochicchio then took Beria's pass and crossed it over to DeLuca on the right side. DeLuca fired the ball from the backfield and the ball slipped into the top left corner past the reach of Harich (14:17). 

Emerson continued to pressure Coast Guard on both sides of the ball within the second half. At the 21 minute mark of the second, Coast Guard nearly squared the game at 1-all. The ball landed in the bottom lefthand corner past Fischer, but the goal was waived due to being offsides. The Lions maintained possession through much of the second half and secured the 1-0 victory over the Bears. 

Emerson continues its home stand on Wednesday and will host Eastern Nazarene at 6:00 p.m.. Coast Guard continues NEWMAC action next Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. at WPI.