HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 11, 2009) – Freshman Zach Adler found the back of the net 28 seconds into the contest to set the tone as the No. 2 Stevens Institute of Technology defeated Vassar College 4-0 on a rainy night at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks had the upper hand the whole contest and used three goals over a span of 9:01 in the second half to pull away for the win. With the shutout, Stevens has not allowed a goal in 272:31 of game time.
The first goal was keyed by senior Terrence Johnson. Johnson controlled the ball 30 yards out and beat his defender to the end line on the right side of the goal. His cross was deflected by a different Brewer defender, and senior goalkeeper Jake London (Albany, N.Y.) had to dive to his right to stop the deflection from going in. That rebound came out to Adler who was in the right place at the right time and the rookie put it home for his second goal of the season.
Stevens controlled the tempo through much of the first half, getting several strong runs on goal but could not extend its lead. The Ducks ended the half with a 5-1 advantage in shots as each squad took two corners. The Brewers did gain some possession late in the half and created a solid scoring chance in the middle of the box, but junior Bryan De Faria was able to break up the play.
Vassar (3-1) came out strong in the second half and was able to get several shots on and around the goal but the Brewers' possessions became fewer and fewer as Stevens got back in rhythm. The Ducks went up 2-0 in the 61st minute as junior Nolan Sandberg made a great move at the top of the box, angled in towards the goal and fired a shot that deflected in for his first goal of the season.
Just 59 seconds later, freshman Victor Daza tallied the first his career. Sophomore Pete Bednarsky put a perfect pass on the right foot of Daza who made several nice touches to beat his defender and get the score. It was Bednarsky's second assist of the season.
The next goal came in the 70th minute as Daza again was deep in the Vassar zone. A Brewer defender was whistled for a hand ball in the box and Adler came on to net the penalty kick and gives Stevens the 4-0 edge.
Over the final 20 minutes, Vassar was able to gain some possession, generate a bunch of corners, and put several shots on goal but junior goalkeeper Zach Carr and the rest of the Stevens defense was able to keep the Brewers off the board. The Ducks “D” currently has a goals-against average of 0.25, and Stevens has outscored its opponents 9-1 over its first four games of 2009.
Vassar ended the contest with an 8-3 advantage in corners and Stevens held a slight 13-12 edge in shots. Carr was credited with four saves in the win.
Stevens will travel to No. 11 Swarthmore College on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Garnet defeated Stevens last year at the De Baun Athletic Complex to end a 62-game home unbeaten streak.
