Senior midfielder Fatai Alashe passes the ball during a game against Florida International University Aug. 31, 2014, at DeMartin Soccer Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Panthers, 3-0. Raymond Williams/The State News
After beginning the season with a win, the men’s soccer team (2-0 overall) kept the momentum going after a 3-0 shutout win over Florida International on a sunny afternoon at DeMartin Soccer Stadium.
MSU struck early with a goal on a PK from senior midfielder Fatai Alashe at the 8:49 mark after senior forward Adam Montague was taken down inside the box. Earning the team their first first-half goal of the season.
“It was good work from Adam, obviously he did most of the work for it, the PK is pretty much just a simple finish,” Alashe said after the game. “I kind of just picked my side and hit it there, I didn’t think about it too much. I obviously gave Adam a big hug afterwards because like I said, he did most of the work.”
FIU nearly tied the score minutes later on a shot that went off the post by the Panthers junior midfielder Daniel Gonzalez at the 11:42 mark.
MSU scored another to make it 2-0 on a goal by junior defender Zach Carroll assisted by junior midfielder Jason Stacy and redshirt freshman midfielder Brian Winterfield at the 23:25 mark.
Carroll, who scored his first goal since transferring to MSU from Virginia, described the differences between his new team and the former.
“I just think how tight the team is as a unit, guys here they’ll fight for each other no matter who it is whether it’s a sub or a four-year starter, guys are really together. I love it here.” Carroll said.
After giving up two goals FIU pulled starting goalie junior Robin Spiegel for redshirt freshman goalkeeper David Mitchell at the 28:41 mark.
MSU went into the half with a 2-0 lead over the Panthers with MSU getting off eight shots compared to FIU’s nine in the first 45. Despite a one shot lead on the shot total and a few good scoring opportunities in the first half while down 1-0, FIU was unable to equalize before giving up the 2-0 lead.
MSU built on the first-half lead 20 minutes into the second-half, making it 3-0 on a goal by senior forward Adam Montague assisted by freshman midfielder Ken Krolicki and redshirt sophomore midfielder Andrew Herr at the 65:03 mark.
Despite similar shot totals (14 for MSU compared to FIU’s 12), the game never looked in question for MSU. After a 2-0 halftime lead, the team cruised to a 3-0 victory adding another goal in the second-half, giving the team two wins in three days to start the season in dominating fashion.
“Very mature performance, I think we’re starting to show some glimpses maybe of what we’re capable of doing,” Head Coach Damon Rensing said after the game. “Overall, if on the weekend you can score four goals and give up zero in two games and be 2-0 against SMU and FIU, you should feel pretty good about where you’re at.”
MSU next plays again on Sept. 5 against Illinois-Chicago in their first away game of the season at 8 p.m. The UIC Flames managed to go 2-0 this weekend as well, setting up for a meeting between two early-season unbeaten teams.
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