Hoboken, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team used a late first half goal, an early second half goal, and stout defense down the stretch to earn a 2-1 win over FDU-Florham in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom opener for both teams Saturday at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams back lines flexed their muscle early on, with the teams combining for two shots on goal and three yellow cards through the 40
th minute.
In the 41
st minute, junior
Ethan Hagen delivered a well-placed ball up the left side to senior
Terry Thompson. Thompson let fly with a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and ricocheted down to the feet of sophomore
Omar Martinez, who put home the rebound for a 1-0 lead, which Stevens (4-2-3, 1-0) carried into the half.
In the 53
rd minute, first-year
Matthew Murillo delivered a cross from the right side that found the left foot of sophomore
Luke Carey near the left post. Carey, making just his fourth appearance of the year, rocketed a volley past FDU-Florham (8-3-1, 0-1) keeper Victor Ciach.
The Devils cut into the deficit in the 66
th minute, scoring on just their second shot on goal of the evening, but any attempt at a rally ended there, as the Ducks allowed a single off-target attempt over the final 23 minutes.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Martinez's goal put him in sole possession for the team lead with three.
- The Ducks improved to 13-0-1 all-time against the Devils, outscoring them 16-2 in seven matches under head coach Dale Jordan.
- Jordan also improved to 58-11-12 at home as head coach.
- Stevens won its conference opener for the 21st time in the last 22 seasons.
FROM THE FIELD
"Really tight competitive MAC Freedom conference game, credit to FDU and their staff for their performance today, they caused us plenty of problems. Happy again to play so many players tonight, another great team effort, happy to get the three points. Another tough MAC game next Saturday against a tough DeSales team."
UP NEXT
The Ducks continue MAC Freedom action with a matinee on Saturday, October 12, at 12 p.m. against DeSales in Center Valley, Pa.