JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Stetson University men's soccer team is back in the win column after defeating the University of North Florida Ospreys on the road in a 1-0 shutout victory to begin conference play. The defining moment of the game unfolded in the 78th minute, when sophomore midfielder, Andres Mata, scored the game winning goal. Mata's heroics were made possible through the combined efforts of Luis Lara and Xavi Csato, who provided the crucial assists that paved the way for the go-ahead shot.

"I am really proud of the group as we picked up three points on the road opening up ASUN action," said Head Coach Emmett Rutkowski. "Our goal is to compete for an ASUN championship and I believe it was a well rounded effort from Nico and the back line preserving a shutout to Mata showing he is one of the best strikers in the ASUN."

True to their style, the Hatters wasted no time asserting their dominance, coming out of the gate with consistent aggression. In fact, they outshot the Ospreys by a resounding margin of 25-11 over the course of the game. Stetson's dominance was particularly evident in the first half, where they established an 8-4 lead in shots. However, despite their lead in shots, the Ospreys managed to secure more corner kicks, tallying four to Stetson's two in the initial half.

The second half of the game saw Stetson cranking up the intensity even further. They unleashed an impressive barrage of 17 shots, contrasting with the Ospreys' seven attempts. Of these, four tested the Ospreys' goalkeeper, exemplifying Stetson's relentless pursuit. The Hatters also maintained a stranglehold on possession and continued to assert their dominance in corner kicks, amassing an 8-2 advantage in the latter half.

Contributions were spread throughout the Stetson lineup, with notable performances from key players. Mata, Lara, and Alessandro Gabbani each led the charge with four shots apiece, while Gabriel Toro closely followed with three. Gabbani and Giuseppe Croce both made significant impacts, tallying two shots on goal.

The guardian of the Stetson net, goalkeeper Nicolo Radaelli, further solidified his reputation with a stellar performance, securing his third shutout win of the season. Radaelli faced 11 shots and made two saves, ensuring that Stetson held on to their hard-earned lead.

With this win, Mata not only secured his third goal of the season but also joined Csato at the top of the team's leaderboard for points, each boasting seven. Stetson now stands proudly atop the ASUN standings, with a commendable 3-2-2 record and a 1-0-0 start to their conference play. 

Looking ahead, the Hatters will return home to the ATC on Tuesday, September 19th, where they will host the Florida Atlantic Owls at 6:00 PM.

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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