BOCA RATON, Fla. - Lynn University's second-ranked men's soccer team dominated in its home opener with a 4-0 victory over Ave Maria in the Wyndham Boca Raton Soccer Classic. Julian Halder added to team-leading goal total with his fourth of the season while Youcef Oujidane, Michael O'Neill and Isaac Hamui notched their first goals of the season. The Fighting Knights improve to 3-0-0 overall and 23-3-1 in home openers.
The Blue & White controlled possession for nearly 75% of the match and kept Ave Maria (1-2-0) from attempting a shot on goal. The central defense of Jason Sangha and O'Neill made it an easy day for keepers Matt DiCerbo and Harris Smiler.
After 35 minutes of scoreless play, the Fighting Knights broke through with a goal in the 36th minute. Joey Maxson logged his first career point with a cross from the right wing into the center of the 18-yard box. Oujidane collected the pass, spun to his left and ripped a shot towards the left side of goal to put LU on top 1-0.
Less than five minutes later O'Neill found the back of the net. Michael Kutscher passed the ball off a corner kick and O'Neill one-timed a shot past keeper J.C. Intriago to make it 2-0 heading into the half.
Halder scored for the fourth time in three games with a nifty heel shot from the center of the six-yard box. Anthony Desperito started the play with a ball down the left side which Jake Furman ran on crossed immediately into the penalty area.
Hamui finished off the scoring for Lynn in the 63rd minute when he beat his defender down the right sideline, turned on the back line and slipped a shot between the keeper and the near post for his first career goal.
The Blue and White finished the team with 33 shots, 18 of which reach goal Intraigo stopped 12 attempts. Lynn also held the corner kick advantage 11-2.
The Fighting Knights will be back in action at the Wyndham Boca Raton Soccer Classic on Saturday, September 8, when they host Anderson (S.C.) at 3:30 p.m. Fans can catch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram.
