Men’s Soccer Sails Past Southern Connecticut State, 3-0

Skyhawks earn second win over Owls in program history


McShane notched his first goal of the season and fourth goal of his career

EASTON, Massachusetts (September 19, 2018) – The Stonehill College men's soccer team won its third shutout of the season with a 3-0 victory over Northeast-10 Conference foe Southern Connecticut State University Wednesday afternoon on Skyhawk Field.

This win against the Owls is just the second victory in program history since Southern Connecticut State University joined the league in 2000. The Skyhawks defeated the Owls 3-2 in 2011 and this is the first shutout in program history against Southern Connecticut.

For the Skyhawks (3-2-1. 2-1-0 NE10), Justin Brehm (Latham, New York/Shaker), Michael McShane (Needham, Massachusetts/Needham), Kevin O'Shea (Quincy, Massachusetts/Quincy) registered the tallies, while Patrick Doherty (West Milford, New Jersey/Saint Joseph Regional) and Ryan Chieffo (North Haven, Connecticut/North Haven) registered the assists. Junior Brendan Hughes (Billerica, Massachusetts/Billerica Memorial) recorded his second-career shutout with a career-high nine saves.

Stonehill kicked off the game with a strong start, as they took multiple trips to Southern Connecticut's defending third. Following back-to-back shots by the Owls, Stonehill was awarded a free kick, which Chieffo took from about 45 yards away. From the launch, Doherty tracked the ball and headed the ball to Brehm, who was able to head the ball to the back of the net for his second goal of the season and fifth of his career at 16:45.


O'Shea tallied his first-collegiate goal

The Skyhawks regained possession after the restart and Stonehill saw two shots and one corner kick to continue their offensive attack. Throughout the remaining minutes of the first half, the Owls only saw one close opportunity with a shot that sailed high over the crossbar in the 34th minute. Southern Connecticut State University was awarded five free kicks, but Stonehill was able to defend their possessions and hold a 1-0 advantage.

In the start of the second half, the Owls came out with reason, but the Skyhawks put the ball quickly in the box as McShane ripped a shot at the goalkeeper which was saved, but the sophomore recovered the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net for a 2-0 lead. McShane's goal at 51:11 was the first of the season for him and fourth of his career.

As play went back and forth, Stonehill's defense continued to battle and be tested to protect the net against Southern Connecticut's 10 shots, in which seven were saved by Hughes. Fifteen minutes before the end of the half, O'Shea went one-on-one with an Owl defender and he was able to collect a misplayed ball to take it down the field beating the back for a shot at the top of the 18-yard box for his first-collegiate goal at 74:36. Even with Southern Connecticut outshooting Stonehill, 14-11, in the game, the Skyhawks were able to defend the net and capitalize on its six shots on goal.

Stonehill travels to Manchester, New Hampshire to face No. 20 Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday, September 22 with a 7:00 p.m. start time to kick off a three-game road trip.   

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