DELAND, Fla. - The Stetson men's soccer team secured their second conference win with a commanding 3-0 shutout victory against Queens University of Charlotte at the Athletic Training Center on Saturday night.
The game began with Stetson applying it's usual pressure, but they finally struck first in the 11th minute. Luis Lara, the offensive leader for the Hatters, delivered a powerful shot to the lower right corner of the net from the left side, giving Stetson a 1-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Gabriel Toro, highlighting the teamwork that defines this Stetson squad.
Lara wasn't done yet, and roughly 27 minutes later, he found the back of the net once again. This time, Afonso Conde provided the assist as Lara unleashed another precise low right shot from the left side. Despite some late pressure from the Royals towards the end of the first half, Stetson held strong and went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
In the 66th minute, Stetson further extended their lead to 3-0 when Andres Mata scored a goal on an assist from none other than Lara. The Hatters continued to exhibit their aggressive play, exceptional passing, and suffocating defense as they maintained their dominant 3-0 advantage.
Nicolo Radaelli, the Hatters' goalkeeper, had a relatively quiet night but made one save to preserve the shutout. Radaelli faced a total of 7 shots but was forced to make only one save, showing the effectiveness of Stetson's defense. He also expertly punched out a few corner kicks to deny the Royals any opportunity to claw their way back into the game.
Stetson outshot Queens University, recording 13 shots to their opponent's 7. Lara led the team with 5 shots, two of which resulted in goals, and he also contributed an assist. Xavi Csato attempted three shots, one of which was on target, while Mata took two shots, converting one into a goal. Impressively, a total of 21 Stetson players saw action on the field, underscoring the depth and versatility of the team.
Lara's stellar performance earned him his second two-goal game of the season, with his first being in the thrilling 4-3 victory over Florida Atlantic on September 19. Lara leads the team this season with an impressive tally of 6 goals, 2 assists, and 14 points. Andres Mata is not far behind, with 5 goals, 1 assist, and 11 points to his name.
Stetson's home-field advantage remained intact as they continued their undefeated streak at the Athletic Training Center, boasting a remarkable 4-0-2 record on their home turf. With this victory, the Hatters improved their overall season record to 5-3-3.
The team will briefly step away from conference play as they prepare to host Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) on Wednesday, October 11, at 6:00 PM, once again at the Athletic Training Center.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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