By Andrew Parente

The men’s soccer team concluded this weekend’s Homecoming festivities with a 2-0 win over Drexel Sunday.

The Dragons went into yesterday’s game with the best record in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) at 6-1, but the Huskies were unfazed and defended their home field well, as they have been doing all year.

Northeastern didn’t waste any time before taking the lead, scoring in the third minute. Freshman forward Nick Lueders carried the ball into the box when he was taken down from behind, and the referee awarded the Huskies their first penalty shot of the year.

Senior captain Greg Kilkenny took the kick and buried it into the right side of the net to give NU the 1-0 lead. The goal was Kilkenny’s fifth of the year.

Twenty minutes later, the Huskies struck again. Senior forward Ahmed Talaat beat a Drexel defender and fired a shot that ricocheted off the post and into the net for his team-leading seventh goal of the year. Freshman midfielder Santiago Bedoya and senior midfielder Padraig Tangney were credited with the assists.

Drexel put substantial pressure on the NU defense throughout the remainder of the first half, but could not break through.

Sophomore goalie Mahmoud Talaat recorded his fourth shutout of the year, making seven saves.

Both teams fought a back-and-forth battle in the second half. Drexel had many chances to get on the board, but the Husky’s defense continued its strong play and held them scoreless.

“When we’re at home, we expect to win,” said head coach Brian Ainscough, whose team improved to 5-1 at Parsons Field. “Hopefully we will be 7-1 at home by the end of next week and we’ll be able to extend our season.”

The Huskies improved to 4-3-1 in the CAA and a 5-8-1 record overall. Drexel is now 7-4-1 and 6-2 in the CAA. Northeastern picked up its first tie of the year Friday night in Delaware when it battled the Blue Hens to a 1-1 decision.

Bedoya picked up his first NU career goal in the game’s 17th minute. But the Huskies were unable to hold on to the lead as the Blue Hens tied it up with only three minutes remaining in the game.

“Having a lead with only three minutes to go, you expect to win the game,” Ainscough said. “However, we are very happy with where we are at this point in the league because it’s right where we should be.”

The Huskies are at home next weekend where they will battle George Mason Friday at 6 p.m. and Towson Sunday at 1 p.m.