FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College men's soccer team jumped out to an early lead and outlasted the Mustangs aided by a second half goal and two team saves to earn the victory 2-0 over Stevenson in MAC Commonwealth play on Wednesday night at Thomas Athletic Field.
Inside the Box
Lucas Godfroy (Adamstown, Md./Urbana) and
Ryan Pinkel (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) notched a goal in this match. Pinkel also added an assist.
Aidan Wright (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) had four shots on goal and added an assist to his resume.
Adam Labows (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) made one save on the night in the shutout win.
How it Happened
Hood established an attacking presence early, creating several quality opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. Wright tested the Stevenson goalkeeper in the third minute and later rattled the crossbar in the 15th minute as the Blazers continued to apply pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute. Wright found some space and after he put up a couple shots near in net, this time delivered a beauty of a pass to Pinkel in space and Pinkel's header made it past the keeper and the squad celebrated the 1-0 lead with the Alliance youth soccer team on the sideline.
Stevenson looked for an equalizer later in the half, but Hood goalkeeper Labows came up with a save on a Levi Tanguay attempt in the 33rd minute to preserve the lead as the Blazers carried their one-goal advantage into halftime.
The Blazers got in trouble right out of the half as the Mustangs strung together their best string of possessions on the night. Nick Gervase sent the free kick into the box that was headed towards Labows who collided with an attacker leaving the Blazer goal wide open. Labows tried to make the save while on the ground when Dumbuya took a shot, but the hero would be
Kayden Leonard (Upper Marlboro, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) in goal knocking down the shot. The Mustangs would get one more shot off but wide off target to diffuse the possession.
Dumbuya would get another chance minutes later, juking the Blazer goalie but as the ball aimed for open net,
Landon Norcross (Mechanicsville, Md./Chopticon) slid in the way providing the second team save and adding to one of his best collegiate matches.
The Blazers would shut the door in the 55
th minute when
Timmy Hill (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) worked down the sideline and sent a cross to Pinkel who deflected the pass off of his back and laid down as a crashing Godfroy finished the chance for the 2-0.
Hood continued to dictate possession and nearly added to its lead throughout the remainder of the period. Godfroy and Wright both forced saves from Stevenson goalkeeper Andrew Sindicic, while the Blazer back line limited the visitors to just three shots on goal all evening.
For the Opponent
Mustang keeper Sindicic made six saves.
Analysis
Hood outshot Stevenson 18-8, 9-4 in both halves.
Seven yellow cards were issued in the second half.
Notes
Hood improves to 6-8-1, 2-3-1 in conference play and sits in the final fifth playoff spot currently with two games to go.
Stevenson falls to 8-5-2, 2-3-0 in conference play and sits in seventh place.
Up Next
The squad will take on conference foe Eastern on Saturday, October 24 with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.. The Blazers will then take on Neumann on Saturday, October 31 on the road to finish the regular season.
