DeLAND—Eli Beates scored the game's only goal midway through the second half and Stetson moved atop the Atlantic Sun Conference standings with a 1-0 win over Jacksonville, Friday at the Athletic Training Center.
The win, coupled with Florida Gulf Coast's tie with North Florida, puts the Hatters at the top of the conference standings. The Hatters (7-5-2 overall, 4-1-0 A-Sun) now lead FGCU by two points. Stetson has just one conference match remaining while the Eagles must play two more league contests.
Jacksonville (4-10-0, 1-3-0) controlled the explosive Stetson attack throughout much of the contest, limiting Stetson to just 11 shots for the match. The Hatters entered the night leading the A-Sun with 29 goals, but scored their lowest goal total in more than a month.
Beates changed a scoreless game in Stetson's favor in the 56th minute when he corralled a blocked shot attempt by Eyal Cohen in 7-yard box and fired a shot into the upper left corner. His flick past JU keeper Marc Menzy gave the Hatters a 1-0 lead. The goal was the fifth of the season for Beates.
Stetson's defense did the rest as they were able to keep the Dolphins from mounting a serious threat in the second half.
Stetson keeper Paul Ladwig faced 11 shots and made two saves, earning his second shutout of the season.
The Hatters close out A-Sun play when they visit Northern Kentucky, 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1.
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