Men's soccer shuts-out 18th-ranked Dickinson

The 22nd-ranked Hopkins men's soccer team (11-2-0, 4-1-0) remained tied atop the Centennial Conference standings with a 2-0 home victory over the 18th-ranked Dickinson Red Devils (8-3-1, 3-2-0) on Saturday afternoon.

Looking for their second win against a top 20 team in less than a month (the Jays beat 10th-ranked Dickinson on Sept. 23), the Jays came out strong early on offensive, but were unable to convert any of their shots on goal.

Junior attack Scott Bukoski attempted the Jays first shot just 39 seconds into the game, although it was wide of the post. Bukoski then had a great look on a free kick in the fourth minute, but the shot was saved by Dickinson goalie Cody Hickock.

Hickock and Jays goalie Ravi Gill would go save for save for the rest of the first half. Hopkins had a great scoring opportunity in the 44th minute on a breakaway attempt. A Dickinson free kick 30 yards from the goal was blocked by sophomore Sean Duggan, who kicked the ball out to a streaking Chand Balfour.

Dickinson's attack and midfield were positioned near the Blue Jay goal for the free kick, and thus Balfour had a clear path to the Dickinson goal. Hickock got his hands on Balfour's shot, deflecting it towards senior John Scheuch, whose shot was wide left.

It did not take long after halftime for Hopkins to break the scoreless tie. In the 53rd minute, sophomore Drew Holland took a free kick from 50 yards out near the midway line, playing the ball to the right side of the field. Junior Tony Gass tracked down the ball and fired a pass across the middle which was headed to the far post by junior Chris Wilson to put the Jays up 1-0.

With a one-goal advantage on the scoreboard, the Jays got an advantage on the pitch as well, as Dickinson's Mike Montross was sent off with a red card.

After the ejection, Hopkins dominated the possession offensively, as they out-shot the Red Devils nine to one throughout the rest of the match, including holding Dickinson without a shot for the final 20 minutes.

After having several shots saved by Hickock, the Jays finally found the insurance goal they were looking for in the 87th minute when Scott Bukoski scored his 11th goal of the season. Scheuch played a long ball down the right side, where Bukoski scooped it up. He dribbled into the box and beat Hickock to the left post to put the Jays up 2-0.

The two-goal lead with two minutes left sealed the deal for Hopkins, as there were no desperate attempts for Dickinson.

Gill finished with three saves in posting his seventh shutout of the season and eighth of his career. He now ranks seventh in program history in career shutouts. Hickock posted eight saves in the loss for the Devils.

Hopkins out-shot Dickinson 22-7, held a 5-2 advantage in corners and had only 12 fouls to Dickinson's 18.

Hopkins returns to action Friday, Oct. 16 when Ursinus visits Homewood Field. The Conference game is slated to begin at 7 p.m.