Northeastern Defeats Men's Soccer, 3-0

Wednesday, October 26

Boston, Mass.

6:00

Drexel University

Northeastern

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

10/26/2011 8:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer

BOX SCORE

BOSTON – The Drexel men's soccer team came into play on Wednesday looking for its first victory on the road this season, and will leave Northeastern with one more chance to find it. Drexel fell in its second-to-last road contest of the season on Wednesday, 3-0 to the host Huskies. Pentti Pussinen had three outstanding saves as he faced significant pressure throughout the evening. Drexel had three big scoring opportunities, all from Malcolm LeBourne, but could not finish.

There was a frenetic series nearly 11 minutes into the game, with both goalkeepers extending for fingertip saves. First, a Drexel clear attempt was blocked by Northeastern's Don Anding. Anding got around his man and corralled the loose ball, and sprinted towards the goal on the left side. With Drexel keeper Pentti Pussinen inching out to challenge, Anding wound up and connected on a low screamer to Pussinen's left. Pussinen dove and deflected the ball off to the side, where Drexel got control and poked it forward. Having pushed upfield, the Husky defense was caught off guard, and LeBourne had a one-on-one shot at Northeastern keeper Oliver Blum, who reached high and to his left for a glove save of his own. Within twenty seconds of each other, both teams had created tremendous scoring opportunities for themselves, but both goalkeepers came up big to preserve the clean sheet.

That lasted until the 36th minute, when Andre Ciliotta cleaned up a deflected pass from Michael Kennedy and beat Pussinen to his left, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

Drexel had chances to even the score in the second half. Twice, LeBourne tested Blum. The first time, he beat the defense, outrunning them down the righthand side of the field. With Manuel Cazares alongside, LeBourne drove the ball towards the lower right corner of the goal, hitting the post as Blum dove to keep the ball out. Then a few minutes later, a perfect cross found LeBourne ten yards out. The junior from Maplewood, N.J. got a head on the ball and angled it beautifully in towards the net, but Blum had it positioned correctly and reeled in the would-be game-tying shot.

Northeastern put the game away in the 71st minute when Dante Marini finished on a crossing pass from Richardo McDonald, sending a scorcher into the right corner of the goal. They added insurance in the 88th minute when Kennedy wove through the defense and hooked a ball beyond Pussinen's outstretched arms.

The Dragons will play their final home game on Saturday when they host James Madison. The Dukes are currently tied for the top spot in the CAA, and are ranked No. 21 in the nation. Kick off for the Dragons' final home game at Vidas Field this year will be 7:00 p.m.