ROCHESTER, N.Y. (October 20, 2018)  – Senior Daniel Aversano scored a pair of goals to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team to the Empire 8 Conference regular-season title with a 2-0 victory over Nazareth College Saturday in a league fixture at Golden Flyer Stadium.

The Ducks will be hosting the Empire 8 Tournament for the third straight season and for the eighth time in the last nine. Since joining the league in 2007, the conference's road to the NCAAs has gone through Hoboken nine different times.

Stevens won its third straight to improve to 14-2-1 and a perfect 6-0 in league play. The 14 wins are the most under head coach Dale Jordan and the most for the team since 2014, which was also the last time the team posted a perfect regular season.

Brian Wilkin made five saves for Nazareth, who fell to 9-5-1 on the year and 3-2-1 in conference matches. The Golden Flyers have dropped two straight.

After a scoreless half, Aversano finally broke through in the 51st minute. The senior midfielder received a perfectly-placed ball from freshman Adam Silva that navigated through the Nazareth defense. Aversano finished the play in the bottom corner of the goal, past Wilkin, who came out from his line to rush the play. Aversano put the game out of reach in the 89th minute, converting a penalty. It was the Upper Saddle River, New Jersey native's second multi-goal game of the season.

Inside the Numbers

• Aversano's converted penalty was just the second for Stevens this year. Senior Brett Holtzman converted against York College on Sept. 16.
• The Ducks held a 16-3 edge in shots, including a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal.
• Aversano led all players with four shots, including three on net.
• Senior Andrew Masur began the play leading up to Aversano's first goal, playing a leading pass to Silva. The Bridgewater, New Jersey native was credited with his first assist of the season.
• Aversano and Silva are first and second, respectively, in the conference in points per match. Aversano has posted 1.40, while Silva has 1.25.
• Stevens again extended its streak of not allowing a first-half goal. The Ducks are outscoring opponents 16-0 in the first half this season.
• Stevens improved to 15-0-1 all-time against Nazareth.

Unsung Hero

• Senior Aaron Henry made one save in securing his eighth clean sheet of the season. Henry made eight one season ago and can move into seventh place on the all-time single-season leaderboard with his next one. The Fayetteville, Arkansas native currently holds fourth place on the career list. Henry lowered his conference-leading goals against average to 0.521. 

From the Sidelines

• "Had to work hard for a result against an incredibly organized Nazareth side."
• "Hard work begins now [to prepare] for the postseason."

Up Next

• Men's Soccer welcomes Utica College to campus in one week's time for the final match of the 2018 regular season.
• The Pioneers stunned the Ducks 4-3 last season in upstate New York.
• Prior to the match, Stevens will honor the Men's Soccer Senior Class.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com

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