DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (October 26, 2019)  – Sophomore Bailey Gano and juniors Jacob Curtis and Cristiano Hocken each found the back of the net to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Delaware Valley University Saturday in a MAC Freedom fixture played at James Work Memorial Stadium.

Junior Aedan Boriotti made one save for the Ducks, who won their fifth straight match to improve to 11-3-2 on the year and 5-0-1 in conference matches. The Sea Girt, New Jersey native lowered his conference-leading goals-against average to 0.783. He has posted a total of seven clean sheets on the year.

The victory, combined with Misericordia's setback at King's earlier in the day, ensured that Stevens will play its MAC Freedom semifinal fixture at the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Nov. 6 regardless of the result in the regular-season finale.. The Ducks can clinch the league's regular-season title with a victory on Nov. 2.

Josh Jarrett made nine saves for the Aggies, who dropped to 5-12-1 on the year and are winless in the MAC Freedom. Delaware Valley has been eliminated from the conference's postseason picture.

Gano began scoring in the 14th minute. Hocken sent a corner kick from the far left flag. Curtis darted into the six-yard box to attempt a header, but the junior defender never made contact. Instead, it was Gano tapping the ball to the right of the goalkeeper to put the Ducks in front. The marker was the Parsippany, New Jersey native's second of the year, matching his output from his freshman campaign. Hocken's assist extended his scoring streak to five matches.

It is believed to be the first meeting between the programs. 

Turning Point

• Holding a 1-0 lead late in the first half, Stevens earned a corner kick in the 42nd minute.
• Sophomore Jon Valcarce sent in the service and Curtis snuck into the play from the nearside post and headed the ball into the center of the net for his fourth goal of the year.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot Delaware Valley 21-2, including a 12-1 edge in shots on net. The Aggies' two shots were the lowest by any Stevens opponent this season. The Ducks have outshot five of their last six opponents.
• The Ducks earned eight corners, including six in the first half. Delaware Valley earned two.
• Senior goalkeeper Brendan Krupa made his first appearance of the season, playing the final 14 minutes. The Briarcliff Manor, New York native did not face a shot.
• Freshman Brendan Mulligan assisted on Hocken's marker in the 68th minute for his first collegiate point.

Unsung Hero

• Hocken finished with a goal and an assist. The junior leads the team, and the conference, with 22 points. It's the second-highest point total by a Duck since the 2015 season.

From the Sidelines (Head Coach Dale Jordan)

• "Was not our best performance, but we pushed through. The back five did a good job of stopping the opposition attack. [We] are looking forward to a massive game against last year's MAC Freedom champions, Eastern, to decide this year's regular-season conference title."

Up Next

• Stevens closes out the 2019 regular season against Eastern University on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. 
• It will be the first meeting between the teams since the opening round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, which saw the teams play to a 1-1 draw with the Eagles advancing on penalties. 
• Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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