By: Zach Hayes, News Staff
With help from freshman forward Dale McDonald’s three goals, the men’s soccer team spearheaded a four-point week: The Huskies notched a 3-1 win over Delaware last night and a 2-2 double overtime draw against No. 26 James Madison University (JMU) at Parsons Field Oct. 2.
The newcomer from Roosevelt, N.Y. scored both of the Huskies’ goals against JMU, the first on a lead pass from senior forward Nick Leuders, and the go-ahead goal just three minutes later courtesy of a pass from sophomore forward Don Anding.
“Ricky [McDonald] played really well,” head coach Brian Ainscough said. “His finishing hasn’t been great lately, but he scored two goals. You look at our team and we have so much offensive power.”
McDonald continued his goal-scoring streak in the victory over Delaware. His unassisted chip shot on a loose ball provided the Huskies a comfortable two-goal lead late in the second half, which sophomore goalkeeper Oliver Blum did not relinquish. The transfer from Providence saved six shots in the Huskies first conference win of the season.
Junior forward Mike Kennedy, who now leads the Huskies with five goals and 17 shots on goal overall, provided Northeastern’s first two scores. His first score came when Delaware junior keeper Kris Devaux allowed a rebound on a penalty kick, providing Kennedy room to capitalize with an easy score. Just 11 minutes later, Kennedy padded the Huskies lead with a header in front of the net on a cross from senior defender Santiago Bedoya.
“[Kennedy] had a good day,” Ainscough said. “He’ll tell you himself he could have probably had three today. Mike is doing very well- he’s one of our top players and we just hope he can keep putting the goals away. Mike is a tough kid, he’s a hard working kid. He obviously gives you 100 percent effort.”
Kennedy was quick to credit the trio of senior defenders – Bedoya, Matt Sanford and Brendan Ennis – for allowing him to take more risks on the attacking end.
“The defense had another great game,” Kennedy said. “They let you feel free to create and take chances. They never get the recognition they deserve.”
Prior to McDonald’s goal, the Blue Hens converted a rare scoring chance against Blum and the Huskies defense. Delaware midfielder Kraig Ellis had an open shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net to make it a one goal contest.
“With a two-goal lead we had a couple of really good chances to put the game away,” Ainscough said. “[Up] 2-0 going into the half you feel good, and you want to go in the next 10-15 minutes and finish the game off and it just wasn’t meant to be. Whether they’re good chances or bad misses, the game should have been put away. It got a little nerve-wracking when it got to 2-1.”
There was a handful of nerve-wracking moments for Ainscough and the Huskies on Saturday during their spirited back-and-forth 2-2 draw with James Madison, the only nationally-ranked team in the CAA. A botched defensive effort allowed Duke forward Markus Bjorkheim a chance to convert his fourth goal of the season, providing James Madison a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute.
“Two of our players went over to one guy and he stepped through two of them and put a nice cross in,” Ainscough said. “It was awful defending. When we watch the tape they’ll see that’s too easy.”
Following the two goals by McDonald, senior forward and CAA leading goal scorer C.J. Sapong scored the game-tying goal for James Madison with just 1:14 to play. Two grueling overtimes followed, the highlight a remarkable sprawling save by Blum on a Sapong penalty kick early in the second overtime.
“Obviously it’s an amazing save,” Ainscough said. “It’s an unbelievable play. Overall, his first year coming in, his first year playing, he’s done a pretty good job.”
Kennedy, who provided an abundance of offense with five shots in the contest, was pleased with the Huskies effort overall against such a difficult opponent.
“In the end, it’s not a bad result,” Kennedy said. “They’re a good team. I thought in the first half we played really well and then we struggled in the second half and overtime.”
The four point week gives the Huskies a 3-4-2 overall record and 1-0-2 mark in CAA play. They’ll continue their season with a visit to Georgia State for a 3 p.m. kickoff Sunday afternoon. The team returns home next Wednesday with a 6 p.m. contest against Hofstra at Parsons Field.
