HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 12, 2022)  – Sophomore Luca Campbell netted his first career brace to send No. 4 Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer over Worcester State University 3-1 Saturday in an NCAA opening-round matchup at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Junior Fritz Kabeiseman also found the back of the net for the Ducks, who improved to 16-0-3 on the year. The Ducks have won at least one match in each of their four trips to the NCAA Tournament under seventh-year head coach Dale Jordan. The victory marked the program's first NCAA victory in Hoboken since 2013.

Brady Iovanni scored the lone goal of the match for Worcester State, who saw its season come to an end after falling to 10-4-7. Saturday's matchup was the first between the programs.

Stevens advances to face Rowan University, who rallied to defeat Middlebury College 3-2. The Ducks and the Profs will be meeting for just the fourth time in their storied histories and for the second time in the postseason, although the teams last met in 2001.

After a battle of field possession for most of the first half, it was Worcester State that broke through in the 41st minute. A pair of Ducks collided in the defensive third, allowing a dangerous chance for Iovanni after a well-placed pass from Jemal Mohamud and Iovanni punished the Ducks for their miscommunication in their own end, giving the guests a 1-0 and silencing the home faithful. The goal was just the sixth conceded by the Ducks this season and the first in 472:41 and perhaps more impressively, it was the first goal conceded by Stevens in the NCAA Tournament since Nov. 11, 2018.

Trailing for the first time all season, despite a 7-2 edge in shots, the Ducks came out of halftime with a renewed vigor and put continuous pressure on Worcester's defensive group before Campbell finally broke through in the 69th minute after senior Emerson Kuzemka sprung the second-year forward free in the 18 and Campbell buried a shot into the middle of the goal.

The Ducks continued to apply heavy pressure in the offensive third and jumped in front for good in the 76th minute. After a Worcester foul, sophomore Terry Thompson nearly headed a service just inside the far post, but goalkeeper Andy Ramirez pushed the scoring try away, but the ball came right to Kabeiseman, who redirected the ball into the net for his third of the year.

With the crowd in full vigor, the Ducks added an insurance goal in the 86th minute, when senior Bruno Andino fed Campbell with a perfect through ball into the 18. Campbell made a nifty move around a defender before burying the ball for his sixth goal of the season.

After largely controlling play in the opening half, the Ducks upped the intensity over the final 45. Stevens outshot Worcester 10-1 in the second half, while also earning the only three corners of the match. 

Senior Justin Cross did not make a save in earning the victory. Ramirez made two saves in defeat for Worcester.

Unsung Heroes

• Kabeiseman and the defensive group allowed a mere three shots for Worcester, while not allowing the Lancers to draw a corner.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens finished with a 17-5 edge in shots and a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal. Worcester's three shots is tied for the Lancers' fewest this season and second-fewest by a Stevens opponent.
• Andino's assist on Campbell's second goal was his seventh of the year, the most since alumnus Daniel Aversano and current graduate student Adam Silva, totaled nine and seven, respectively, in 2018. He's had points in 12 of his 18 matches this season.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Dale Jordan

• "Great to get a result in the first round of the NCAA's. Worcester State played an incredible game and credit to them and their coaching staff for playing a quality game of soccer."

Up Next

• No. 4 Men's Soccer hosts Rowan Sunday in the regional final.
• Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

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