HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 5, 2010) – Empire 8 Player of the Year Nolan Sandberg tallied the game-winner and assisted on the Ducks’ third goal as the top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer team rolled to a 3-0 win over Utica College in the semifinals of the Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Championship on Friday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex. With the win, No. 15 Stevens (13-1-3) advances to the conference title game against second-seeded Nazareth College on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. at the De Baun Athletic Complex.
After a sluggish start, the Ducks completely dominated the final 75 minutes of this one, ending the game with a 23-11 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in corners.
Utica was able to keep the ball in the Stevens zone for the game’s first 10 minutes but was unable to create any strong scoring chances due to a smothering Duck back line. That back line eventually started to push up the field and in the 15th minute Stevens really seemed field position and ball control.
The Ducks broke through in the 23rd minute after a Pioneer turnover around midfield. After the turnover, the ball popped in the air and Sandberg (Grayslake, Ill.) held off a pair of Utica defenders and headed the ball up field. Sandberg hit the ground running, beat a trio of Pioneer backs and freshman goalkeeper Anthony Caruso (Easton, Conn.) to the ball and chipped it in for his team- and league-high 13th goal of the season.
Sophomores Zach Adler and Victor Daza hooked up for a pretty goal in the 39th minute to all but end the game. The duo was on the left side outside the 18-yard box and Adler touched to Daza before making a sharp cut towards the goal. Daza held for as long as he could before making a precision pass to his fellow sophomore and Adler did the rest, tucking his shot in the lower-right corner for the goal.
The Ducks were never threatened in the second half and had numerous chances to extend their lead. Mid-way through the stanza, Caruso thwarted three great simultaneous chances - one from Daza and two from Sandberg - to keep the game at 2-0, but it would not be enough as the Stevens defense did not allow many quality chances for the Pioneers.
The game’s final goal was gorgeous as Sandberg chased down a long ball from senior Michael Quijano in the left corner. Sandberg made several moves before crossing to freshman Stephen Dunbar in front for a header into the far-right corner. It was Sandberg’s sixth assist of the season and Dunbar’s fifth goal.
Senior goalkeeper Zach Carr made two saves to earn his 14th shutout of the season. The Stevens defense has allowed just one goal against in eight games versus Empire 8 teams this season as the Ducks have tallied 25 of their own.
Caruso made eight saves for Utica in the loss.