Stevens Men's Soccer Gets 10th Win; Carr Records 50th Career Shutout
HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 23, 2010) – The third-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer team improved to 10-1-3 overall and 5-0-1 in the Empire 8 with a dominating, 3-0, win over Alfred University on Saturday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. Freshman Stephen Dunbar, sophomore Victor Daza, and senior Nolan Sandberg tallied the Stevens goals and senior goalkeeper Zach Carr recorded the 50th shutout of his career, making two saves.
Stevens dominated from start to finish, controlling the ball for 95 percent of the 90 minutes. The Ducks ended with a 20-4 advantage in shots and a 4-0 edge in corners as Carr and the Stevens defense was not tested at all.
Dunbar scored his fourth goal of the season and first game-winner of his career in the 14th minute thanks to fellow freshman Edward Rupp. Rupp carried the ball deep down the right side before crossing to Dunbar who came sliding into the six-yard box for the goal. Rupp was credited with his third assist in the last three matches on the play.
Stevens went up 2-0 at the 38:33 mark with a goal off the head of Daza. Freshman Christian Grapel did a flip-throw-in from the right side almost 35 yards away from the goal line. The toss bounced in the box and Daza was able to out leap the defender to direct the ball passed junior goalkeeper Elliot Thorpe (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) for the score. It was Daza’s fifth goal of the season and Grapel’s second assist.
The Ducks had countless opportunities in the second half with several shots just missing and several attempts ringing a post or the crossbar. Finally, in the 72nd minute, the Ducks made it 3-0. Sophomore Zach Adler had the ball on the left side just outside the penalty area. He created some space and after realizing he was not being challenged, arched a gorgeous service into the center of the box to Sandberg who headed in for the score. Adler was credited with his fourth assist and Sandberg notched his team-high 11th goal of the season.
Stevens is in first place in the conference standings at 5-0-1 and will at worst be the second seed in the Empire 8 Championship that begins on November 5. Nazareth College, who the Ducks defeated 4-0 on October 3, is in second at 5-1 after defeating Elmira College on Saturday as well. Each team has one game to play in the conference and with a win, Stevens will be the tournament’s top seed.