BOCA RATON, Fla. – The first-ever match between Lynn University's men's soccer team and Barry at 'The Graveyard' came in 1986 with a 3-0 Fighting Knights victory. So it was fitting the Blue & White would top its oldest and fiercest rival 3-1in the final showdown between the two teams at the Lynn Soccer Field. Michael O'Neill tallied the first goal for LU while Jake Furman and Chris Hellman added second-half scores to help the Fighting Knights improve to 7-4-1 overall and 4-1-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Shots came early and often for LU with the team managing a 24-3 total over BU in the match. Lynn recorded four attempts in the opening six minutes of play and never let up. A pair of early chances by Hellman did not go the Fighting Knights way but the team continued to barrage Buccaneers' keeper Johnny Rodrigues.
Lynn's tenacity paid off finally in the 31st minute of play. Simon Gubisch collected a long pass down the left wing and was able to beat his first defender off the dribble before sneaking around a second defender on the back line. The ensuing cross went through the 18-yard box where O'Neill lay waiting for a quick shot past a diving Rodrigues for his fourth goal of the year.
Several more chances were seen by the Blue & White and Barry (6-8-1, 3-3-0 SSC) would make LU pay for the misses by scoring the equalizer in the 56th minute. Michael Fernandez sent a cross from the left sideline to Thomas Coombes inside the box and the Buccaneers' striker knocked in his team's only shot on frame.
Furman was able to respond with the game-winner almost immediately, when Hellman caught the Bucs sleeping on the left flank. The freshman forward made his way down the sideline nearly unopposed before slapping a cross into the box. Yannick Braeuer just missed on the near post but Furman made a sliding attempt to convert on his fourth goal of the year and second game-winner.
Hellman later added an insurance goal following an uncharacteristically poor stop from Rodrigues. Kevin Shields launched a ball into the Buc's third where Braeuer was able to get his head on a shot that trickled into the box. Rodrigues and Hellman went after the ball but a misplay by the Barry keeper allowed Hellman to walk in his second goal in as many games.
The Fighting Knights are back in action this weekend when they travel to Lakeland, Fla., to battle Florida Southern on Saturday, October 26, at 7:30 p.m. Fans can catch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @LUKnights on Twitter, Instagram and Vine. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook also.
