DiBartolo gets win 400, Gulls cruise over Mariners

The Salisbury University men’s soccer team defeated the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners 2-1 in the Sea Gulls’ home opener at the SU Soccer Complex. The win marks Head Coach Gerry DiBartolo 400th career victory.

Leslie Umunna opened up the scoring for the Gulls with his first career goal in the maroon and gold, giving SU a 1-0 advantage in the 28th minute.

Merchant Marine would counter in the 40th minute, as SU goalkeeper Drew Stadeli made a save, he went to clear the ball out, and he hit a Merchant Marine forward in the back, which left the ball lying in front of an empty net. Brandon-Rey Jumaoas then finished the ball into the open net to tie the game.

Salisbury broke the tie in the 52nd minute when the Sea Gulls were awarded a free kick inside their half. Forward Matt Greene booted the ball into the box that then fell onto senior midfielder Taylor Groginski’s foot just two yards away from the net. Groginski redirected the free kick in for his first goal of the season.

Salisbury next takes the field Sunday, September 6 back at the SU Soccer complex to close out its play at the Elmer Lord Soccer Classic against Rutgers University- Camden at 3 p.m.

DiBartolo is just the 37th coach in NCAA men’s soccer to accomplish the feat and just the 11th to do so at the Division III ranks.