PEORIA, Ill. – Jared Robinson netted his second goal in as many weeks on Sunday, helping the University of Evansville men's soccer team close out play at the Hotels at Grand Prairie Soccer Series with a 1-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson at Shea Stadium on the campus of Bradley University.
"It's always great to get a win on Sunday following a Friday match," UE head coach Marshall Ray said. "The guys responded again this weekend after a loss on Friday, and I think that's indicative of the characteristics and culture of this group."
The win moved UE to 2-2-0 on the season while FDU fell to 1-3-0.
Robinson, a senior out of Powell, Ohio, headed home the eventual game-winner just six minutes after the half to give the Aces the lead. The goal served as a fitting cap to a period of possession that began near the end of the first half as the Aces outshot FDU 6-4 in the opening 45 minutes, forcing three saves from goalkeeper Sebastian Ferreira.
"We had two or three really good opportunities in the first half, but we couldn't quite get there," Ray explained. "We came right back out and maintained that control in the second half. We were able to get after them, and aside from a few minutes, FDU wasn't able to do much."
Jesse Stafford Lacey was credited with the assist, the first of his career.
UE would continue to enjoy the majority of chances as the game wore on, ultimately out-shooting the New Jersey-based Knights by a total of 16-8 while steering six shots on frame. However, FDU nearly leveled things over the course of the last 20 minutes, including a flurry in the 74
th that saw the team take three successive corners. The UE defense proved up to the task, led by goalkeeper Frederik Reimer, who parried three shots en route to notching his second career clean sheet.
"I'm really proud of how we played defensively," Ray said. "That little stretch was probably their best opportunity of the match, but our team was able to withstand it and still come away with the shutout. That's a sign of a team that's maturing. There's no question that there's still a lot of work left to do, but I think we're getting better each match."
The match marked the end of a season-opening road trip for the Aces, and the team will return home next weekend to host the annual ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic, beginning Friday against Portland and continuing on Sunday versus Fort Wayne.
NOTES: This weekend marked the first-ever meetings between UE, Utah Valley and Fairleigh Dickinson … The Aces had never previously faced an opponent from the state of Utah … UE is 3-1-0 against New Jersey, picking up wins over NJIT and Seton Hall … With two scores on the year, Robinson equaled his best single-season goal production as an Aces player, tying his efforts as a freshman and sophomore … UE's 2-2-0 start represents the best start to a season since the 2012 squad began with four consecutive victories … UE hasn't logged two clean sheets in the first four games of the year since beating Alabama A&M and East Tennessee State during the 2010 campaign.
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