KINGS POINT, NY—It turned out to be a historic night for The University of Scranton men’s soccer team Saturday evening against the Merchant Marine Academy in Landmark Conference action.

For the first time since joining the league in 2007, the Royals are now 2-0 to start conference play thanks to a 2-1 victory over the Mariners.

Scranton got second-half goals from senior midfielder Kevin Romanauskas (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) and sophomore midfielder Rich Loeffler (Matawan, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) and held the Merchant Marine Academy scoreless until Tim Anthone broke through with a goal with only 27 seconds remaining.

The Royals were out-shot, 16-14, but allowed only one on goal, that being Anthone’s shot in the final minute of play.

Scranton, which is currently ranked ninth in the Mid-Atlantic region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), also received assists from sophomore defender Tom O’Connor (Great River, NY/St. John the Baptist) and senior midfielder Bill McGuiness (Forty Fort, Pa./Wyoming Valley West).

Tonight’s win is also the first by the Royals over the Mariners since a 1-0 victory in double overtime on September 20, 2008, at Fitzpatrick Field.

The Royals will return to action next Saturday, October 6, against Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, beginning at 2:30 p.m.  The Crusaders are currently second in the Mid-Atlantic region and 16th nationally.