EMMANUEL BLANKS JWU FOR 1st GNAC WIN
Oct. 10, 2009
BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel Men's Soccer Team shut out the visiting Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon in the nightcap of a Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's and men's soccer double-header played at Clemente Field. The win marked the Saints' first conference win of the season, as well as Emmanuel's first ever victory over Johnson & Wales. The Wildcats had previously gone undefeated against Emmanuel over the eight-year history between these two programs. The Saints' win moved the squad to 3-10 on the season and 1-4 in conference play, while JWU dropped to 2-9 overall and 2-2 in the league.
The Saints came out of the blocks quickly, scoring what proved to be the game-winner in just the 19th minute of play. Freshman midfielder Andres Rocha (West Orange, Conn.) was assisted by fellow rookie Kevin Shirley (Madison, Conn.) at 18:16 to put Emmanuel up 1-0.
After out-shooting the Cats, 10-6, in the opening period, Emmanuel took a 1-0 lead into the break. Senior captain Dan D'Amato (Huntington, Mass.) notched his sixth goal of the season at 57:24. D'Amato got the helper off a pass from Rocha to increase Emmanuel's lead to 2-0.
A further insurance goal for the Saints came in the final minute of the contest. Shirley dodged a couple of Wildcat defenders before finding the back of the net at 89:37 to give the Saints the 3-0 win. Shirley's goal was assisted by senior forward Corey McLean (Lincolnville, Maine).
Emmanuel out-shot JWU, 17-13, for the game. Sophomore keeper Wilhelm Du Bois (Key Biscayne, Fla.) recorded the shut-out win, making 10 saves in net for the Saints. Du Bois made several incredible saves, including stopping a JWU PK in the second period. Junior keeper Joe Ferraro (Freehold, N.J.) made 8 stops in the effort for the Wildcats.
The Saints are back in action on Tuesday night, when Emmanuel hosts Suffolk University in a 7pm start at Clemente Field.