FREDERICK, Md.—The Hood College men's soccer team (1-0-1) defeated Mt. Aloysius (0-3) 3-0 for the first Blazer win this season. The blue and grey had more of the possession throughout the game making it difficult for Mt. Aloysius to get much going offensively. Freshman Gary Higginbothem and junior Eric Diehl provided the scoring in the exact same order as the Blazers first game against Goucher this past Friday.

Junior captain Eric Diehl was for the second game in a row the integral player in Hood's attack, as his pace and foot skills gave Mt. Aloysius fits all game. Diehl scored two goals in the second half to bring his season total to four in two games. Higginbothem scored the first goal of the game at almost the exact same time that he scored his first collegiate goal against Goucher. Higginbothem was fed beautifully by Diehl and fired home a strong strike to the near post that beat Mt. Aloysius goalkeeper Jamie Greenwood in the third minute. Coach Brian Wall must feel very pleased that his team has got off to fast starts in its first two games this season, as Hood has taken early leads in both of its opening games.  

Diehl continued the scoring in the second half off a great hustle play by freshman Joey Fontanez. Fontanez beat the Mounties last defender to the ball and played Diehl into acres of space allowing Diehl to tee up his shot. Diehl calmly slotted away the shot giving the Blazers a comfortable 2-0 lead in the 73rd minute. Diehl continued his scoring ways just five minutes later when he ripped a powerful low driven shot off a long throw in that bounced out of the area right into Diehl's path. The powerful left foot of Diehl did the rest and gave Hood a commanding 3-0 lead that it would not relinquish.  

Blazer sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Deuber was tested a few times throughout the game but was never given anything too strenuous to deal with from the Mounties attack. Deuber finished with one save and he along with freshman Chris Meyer, who came on for the last six minutes of action, combined to give Hood its first clean sheet of the young season. Mt. Aloysius goalkeeper tandem of Greenwood and Logan Bodenschatz combined for four saves.

The defense in front of the goalkeeper's was also very good as senior captain Matt Voohris and junior Nick May did a great job of anchoring the Blazer defense. Both center backs did an adequate job of keeping shape and giving cover as they never allowed Mt. Aloysius to get into dangerous positions offensively. Outside backs Neal Morgan and Ian Jenkins also had strong games.

In the final statistics of the contest Hood outshot Mt. Aloysius 19-9, had an 8-4 corner kick advantage.

The Blazers return to action this Saturday when they hit the road to take on Randolph-Macon College at 3 p.m.