HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 1, 2021) – Known for his mastery in the midfield, senior
Sean Masur picked the perfect night to showcase his scoring touch.
With their season hanging in the balance, Masur scored twice to record his first career brace in powering the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Wilkes University Monday in the MAC Freedom play-in match at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
Masur began his heroics by knocking home a rebound in the 52nd minute to snap a scoreless tie. The Bridgewater, New Jersey native then converted a
Michael Gomez cross nine minutes later for just the second two-goal performance by a Duck in the postseason since 2012. Of Masur's nine career goals, three have come in the postseason.
Senior
Jon Valcarce added a goal in the 78th minute for the Ducks, who won their fourth straight to improve to 11-6-1. The result marked the Ducks' first victory in the MAC Freedom Tournament.
Zach Tone finished with five saves for Wilkes, who saw their two-match winning streak come to an end in falling to 12-7. Potentially in his final collegiate match, Tone came off the field in the 74th minute for Nick Kinzler and received several hugs from his teammates. The Ducks improved to 7-0 all-time against the Colonels, including a pair of victories this season.
Aedan Boriotti made three saves for the Ducks, including a brilliant rejection of Colin Schulmeister's second-half try, to lower his season goals-against average to 0.83. The Sea Girt, New Jersey native previously stifled Schulmeister in the opening minutes of the teams' contest at the DeBaun Athletic Complex on Oct. 23. Boriotti has allowed just one goal over his last 357:17. Junior
Justin Cross relieved Borioitti late in the second half to see his first career action in the postseason.
Although the teams were scoreless in the opening half, Stevens controlled play throughout, firing off 12 shots, against just two for Wilkes. The Ducks' midfield group largely prevented Wilkes from coming forward and any time the Colonels successfully crossed over the center line, the Ducks were able to quickly dispossess in the midfield and set up shop in the Wilkes attacking third.
Turning Point
With the teams deadlocked, graduate student
Cristiano Hocken sprung free from a throw-in along the far touch line.
Hocken found first-year
Emerico Vespucci just inside the 18, who touched the ball to junior
Bruno Andino who trailed the play unmarked.
Andino fired a shot. Tone came off his line to stop the shot, but the rebound fell to Masur, who alertly followed the play.
Masur simply tapped the ball into the wide-open right-corner of the net to put Stevens in front.
Inside the Numbers
Stevens finished with an 18-9 advantage in shots, including an 8-4 mark in shots on target. Masur finished with a match-high four attempts, while Andrew Reichard and Gabriel Nieves each took two attempts to pace Wilkes.
The Ducks finished with a 6-3 margin in corners. Wilkes did not earn their first corner until the 85th minute and earned consecutive attempts in the final minute as the Colonels were pressing the action to find a goal.
The positive result was the program's first victory on a Monday since defeating Kean 1-0 on Oct. 1, 2007.
Unsung Hero
For the second straight match, the Ducks recorded a team save. Graduate student
Grant Conaghan played hero tonight, stuffing Reichard's scoring attempt in the 76th minute.
From the Sidelines - Head Coach
Dale Jordan
"Great to play at home in such an important game. Our home fans really helped us get the win!"
"Great again to utilize our squad and strength in depth."
"Happy with the clean sheet and now onwards to the semifinal against the regular season champions, Arcadia."
Up Next
Men's Soccer heads to Glenside, Pennsylvania to take on Arcadia in a MAC Freedom semifinal contest.
Arcadia topped the Ducks 1-0 on Oct. 13. Thomas Hoy had the winning tally in the 85th minute.
The all-time series is tied at 1-1-1.
Links for live stats and video will be posted to StevensDucks.com.
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