KINGS POINT, N.Y. - A second half goal by junior Gavin Yingling proved to be the game winner as the Mariners held on to beat the Bears 1-0 in the first game of 2015 Superintendents Trophy competition.

Coast Guard dropped to 1-4 on the season while Merchant Marine improves to 4-1 on the year. It is the first time in three years that the Mariners beat the Bears in soccer.

Coast Guard had the first opportunity of the half as they had a free kick in the center of the pitch 45 yards out. Junior Jake Rath drove a ball into the box but junior Cory Maier rose up in the box and made the save.

Merchant Marine had their best opportunity midway through the half as senior Dan Wheldon beat his defender and cut a cross back to Yingling. Yingling sent a hard shot to the far post, but went wide.

The Bears looked to take the lead just before the end of the first half as senior Lukas Benedetto passed to sophomore Ryan Dandan across the front of the Marines goal. Dandan settled and took a shot towards the right corner, but Maier dove to his right making the diving save.

Shortly into the second half the Mariners struck as once again Wheldon cut a cross back to Yingling who this time finished for his fourth goal of the year and gave Merchant Marine a slim 1-0 lead.

Later in the second half a miscue by the Mariners defense caused the ball to roll past Maier into the 18 yard box. Freshman Alex Hall looked to be in on goal but was taken out by a sliding Maier who was shown an immediate red, and sent off. 

Coast Guard continued to press throughout the rest of the half and had their best opportunity as the time ticked off the clock. A free kick was sent into the box from the left side and sophomore Tyler Furry met the cross and put it on goal but sophomore Nolan Smith held the shot as the time on the clocked showed zeroes.

"It was another typical Kings Point, Coast Guard battle, very intense and physical," said head coach Chris Parsons. "We were unlucky not to be ahead at the half. Their number 23 (Gavin Yingling) took his chance very well so credit to him. I thought we should have had a penalty in the second half. Overall I am pleased with the teams effort and committment on the day."

There was a combined 20 fouls, five yellow cards, and one red card.

Freshman William Bragaw made his first career start for the Bears, making three saves while facing nine shots, four of them on goal. His season record drops to 0-1-0.

Maier played just under seventy minutes in the game improving to 4-1-0 on the season making two saves on five shots, two on goal. Smith relieved him after the red card stopping the only shot he faced.

Coast Guard returns to action on Tuesday, September 15 as they host non-conference rival Connecticut College in the annual Whale Cup. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.