The Mariners got the best of their hosts from Merritt College on Friday with a nervy 1-0 win on the road. Daniil Menshikov scored the only goal of the match early for Marin who hung on to record their third conference win of the season.
The game started off with a jolt as early on Osbaldo Zacarias made an aggressive run into the Merritt Thunderbirds' box. He deftly delivered a pass to Menshikov who slotted past the Merritt keeper for a goal and a 1-0 lead. The Mariners had additional chances in the first half but could not double their advantage.
Merritt was somewhat timid offensively to start the match but kicked it into gear in the second half. They had a pair of excellent chances that were denied by Mariners' keeper Bryan Rodriguez. In the waning minutes of the match tempers grew hot and both sides were show yellow cards to keep the peace.
Rodriguez made a save in the final moments to deny Merritt and secure the victory for the Mariners. He recorded his third clean sheet of the season in the match. Zacarias bagged his second assist of the season and Menshikov his third goal.
The victory advanced the Mariners' Bay Valley Conference record to 3-3-1, just two games behind the leaders from Napa Valley.
Marin has a match day break before they host the Yuba College 49ers at home on Friday, November 1st.