Four Goal First Half Powers Men's Soccer Past Regis Saturday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer team used a dominating first half performance to take down the visiting Lasell University Lasers, 5-0, in West Hartford this afternoon. The Blue Jays netted four goals in the first half, adding the fifth early into the second half.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: USJ 5, Lasell 0
Records: USJ (8-2-1, 5-1-1 GNAC), Lasell (2-7-3, 1-4-3 GNAC)
Location: USJ Athletics Complex (West Hartford, Conn.)

KEY MOMENTS

• Jose Miguel Garcia Martin (Madrid, Spain) would be called into action early, making a fine stop to keep Lasell off the board in the third minute.
• The Blue Jays wasted little time getting on the board, taking the lead in the fifth minute. Dane Stephens (Jamaica) played the ball into the path of Michael Torres (Hartford, Conn.) who rifled the ball into the back of the next from outside the box, giving USJ the 1-0 lead.
• USJ continue to pile on the pressure, as Stephens saw his strike in the eighth minute force a great save from the Lasers goalkeeper.
• The Blue Jay's efforts would be rewarded in the 12^th minute. Jared Galarza (Newington, Conn.) threaded the needle, playing a perfectly place through ball into the path of Benjamin Marchetti (Higganum, Conn.) who slotted the ball past the Lasell keeper, extending the lead to 2-0.
• USJ continued to outplay the Lasers, creating numerous scoring chances inside the opening 25 minutes. The Blue Jays would find the back of the net again in the 23^rd minute. Marchetti turned provider this time, playing the ball across the goal to DeAnte Anderson (Bloomfield, Conn.), who had an easy tap in, extending the Blue Jay's lead to 3-0.
• The Blue Jays would tack on one more in the first half, netting their fourth in the 35^th minute. Brian Silva (Naugatuck, Conn.) sent a great through ball into the path of the streaking Agbetossou. Agbetossou would muscle off his defender before guiding the ball into the back of the next, increasing the gap to 4-0.
• Anderson would try his luck in the closing moments of the half, but the Lasell keeper made a great save from a shot destined for the top corner.
• USJ wasted little time in the second half to find the back of the net again, adding a fifth in the 51^st minute. Jin Chen (China) sent the ball over the top of the Lasell defense into the feet of Agbetossou, who netted his second goal of the match, increasing the lead to 5-0.
• Anderson looked to immediately add another for the Blue Jays a few seconds later, but his effort was well saved by the Lasell keeper.
• Lasell would try and pull one back in the 60^th minute from a corner kick. The Lasers worked their play to perfection, but Garcia Martin expertly denied a header aimed for the top left corner, keeping the visitors off the board.
• Agbetossou nearly had his hattrick in the 75^th minute, but his effort missed just wide of the net.
• Garcia Martin came up big again for the Blue Jays in the 79^th minute, making another fine stop to keep the Lasers off the board.
• Garcia Martin made a pair of fine stops in the closing moments of the second half, preserving the shutout and giving USJ the 5-0 victory. 

QUOTABLE

"Today was a great first half performance from our players," said head coach Paul Wright. "We created numerous opportunities with intelligent movement off the ball. We were also strong defensively and we're happy not to concede a goal".

NOTES

• Agbetossou paced the offense with two goals, scoring his second and third strikes of the season.
• Torress netted his third goal of the year, while Marchetti and Anderson netted their ninth and eighth, respectively.
• Garcia Martin tallied five saves to record his second shutout of the year. He improves his record to 5-2-0.
• The shutout is the first for the Blue Jays since a 0-0 draw against Alburtus Magnus on Sept. 24.
• USJ dominated in shots, holding a 26-8 edge including a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Blue Jays also held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
• USJ has scored 16 goals in their last five matches.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays head back on the road for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest on Wednesday, October 12, at Emmanuel College. Kickoff between the Blue Jays and Saints is set for 7:00 p.m. from Roberto Clemente Field in Boston, Mass. 

FOLLOW
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays