Center Valley, Pa. – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team improved to 2-0 in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom with a 2-1 win over DeSales University Saturday afternoon.
The Ducks trailed for 17 seconds, but a quick equalizer and late tiebreaker pushed Stevens' record for the year to 5-2-3, the team handing DeSales just its third loss of the season (9-3-0).
HOW IT HAPPENED
As was the case in Stevens' game last weekend with FDU-Florham, both offenses struggled to create opportunities early on,
Adam Berrocal and
Ben Goldberg registering the only on-target opportunities from either side in the first half despite five total corner kicks.
DeSales finally broke through in the 58
th minute, but the Ducks wasted no time at all with their response. Off the restart,
Dylan Maund beat a Bulldogs defender to a loose ball along the left side of the 18-yard box, dribbled to the edge of the six-yard box, then went between the goalkeeper's legs to feed
Emerico Vespucci crashing from the top, who tapped the cross into the open net.
Kyle Rothwell then put Stevens in front, heading home a corner kick from Maund in the 77
th minute.
DeSales put together one final scoring threat down the stretch, but
Martin Fields deflected a header off the line in the 87
th minute, the final shot attempt of the match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Maund's two assists joined him with Omar Martinez for the team lead in points (six).
- The Ducks ran their unbeaten streak in regular season MAC Freedom play to 20 matches, dating back to the 2021 season (17-0-3).
- Stevens has allowed one goal in 17 straight matches and 21 of 22 matches (including postseason) dating back to last season.
FROM THE FIELD
" True team effort today; the lads showed incredible character to come from a goal behind; great to get 3 points on the road at a very difficult opponent - credit to the DeSales coaching staff for causing us plenty of problems today. Looking forward to a tough away game on Wednesday." – Head coach
Dale Jordan
UP NEXT
The Ducks return to the Keystone State Wednesday, October 16, for a 7 pm kickoff with Alvernia University.