DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson men's soccer team improved to 2-0-0 on the season with a 4-1 win over FIU (0-3-0) at the Stetson Soccer Complex. Sophomore Eugene Starikov (Palm Harbor, Fla.) scored two goals for the second consecutive game and chipped in a pair of assists to run his Atlantic Sun Conference leading scoring total to 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists). Kirk Labusch (Brandon, Fla.) and Richard Porteous (Austin, Tx.) each added a goal to the cause.
The Hatters opened the scoring 28 minutes exactly into the first half. Starikov took a short crossing pass from freshman Ryan Asare-Bediako (Tampa, Fla.) and punched a left-footer past the Golden Panther keeper. Less than six minutes later Starikov scored again with an assist going to junior Kevin Munz (Jupiter, Fla.).
Stetson came out of the half with a 2-0 lead before giving up a goal to FIU's Juan Guerra at the 56:17 mark. It was a blast from 30 feet that just cleared the dive of Stetson goalkeeper Marc Galizia (Bradenton, Fla.) into the top left corner.
“A 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead in soccer,” said Hatters Head Coach T. Logan Fleck. “I like the way we kept our composure after getting scored on and came back with a goal of our own. It was great teamwork between Eugene and Kirk.”
After the FIU goal Stetson regained control of the action culminating in a pair of goals. At 63:34 senior Kirk Labusch dribbled past a defender, passed the ball to Starikov, and then put himself in perfect position for the return pass and picked up his second goal of the season. At 70:38 Starikove was involved in another give-and-go, this time with junior Richard Porteous. After picking up a crossing pass from Porteous, Starikov gave up and excellent opportunity to score the hat trick and returned the favor for an even better scoring chance. Porteous knocked in his first goal of the season and the second of his career.
“I was impressed with the play of some of our young guys tonight,” said Fleck. Jack Johnson played well in the midfield and AB (Asare-Bediako) played great outside. Defensively our back four did a great job against a very explosive team.”
Stetson led FIU 22-11 in shots with 13 of the 22 being on goal. Galizia faced eight shots on goal and secured seven saves for the Hatters. He is now 2-0 on the season.
Stetson returns to the pitch Sunday night at 7:00 pm to host UCF at the Stetson Soccer Complex.
