Box Score NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Harvard men's soccer team (2-2-1) battled Merrimack (1-6-0) for a 2-0 decision on Tuesday night in North Andover, Mass. Gianluca Trofa stole the show, making 12 saves, earning his first career shutout and notching an assist on Alfred Perez's goal.
 
A fast paced first period saw the teams combine for 16 shots, eight saves and six corners. In the 36th minute, the Crimson finally broke the barrier on a header from Alessandro Arlotti off Paolo Belloni Urso's corner kick. Heading into the half, Arlotti and Duncan Sutherland led the roster with two shots on target each while Trofa had four saves in net.
 
Early in the bottom half, Trofa came up big for the Crimson, holding the 1-0 lead by denying a Merrimack penalty shot in the 48th minute. The Warriors were called offsides after nearly tying the score in the 61st minute. Perez sealed the win for Harvard in the 79th minute, taking an almost full field kick from Trofa and knocking the ball in from the corner of the six-yard box.
 
Harvard Highlights

• Alessandro Arlotti scored his second goal of the season, put all three of his shot attempts on net and now leads the team with five points
• Alfred Perez collected his first score of the season along with a perfect shot percentage
• Paolo Belloni Urso tallied his first point of the season, nabbing an assist on Arlotti's goal
• Gianluca Trofa recorded his first career shutout on 12 saves, including a penalty shot

 
Game Notes

• Gianluca Trofa's 12 saves are the most in a single game for a Crimson goalie since Sept. 6, 2019
• Eight of Harvard's 10 shots were on target
• Four student-athletes (Gianluca Trofa, Nik White, Jan Riecke and Fernando Docters) played wire to wire
• Harvard owns a 1-0-1 all-time record against Merrimack

 
Up Next
Harvard returns to Jordan Field to host Vermont on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Fans are advised that due to Harvard Football's home opener, parking on campus will cost $20 and fans should enter through Gate 14 on Soldiers Field Road.