BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University's men's soccer team was out to prove its last game against Nova Southeastern was a fluke. The Fighting Knights accomplished that goal with a decisive 3-1 victory in both teams Sunshine State Conference opener on Saturday. Javier Mochon scored twice, Isaac Hamui netted his first career game-winning goal and keeper Kevin Shields stopped two shots, including a game-changing penalty kick.
The Fighting Knights improve to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the SSC after dropping a 4-1 contest at NSU earlier in the season. Lynn has won 14 consecutive conference openers and is 15-0-1 all-time in their first league game of the season.
It was Mochon who struck first for the Blue & White to snap a 205-minute scoreless streak and put LU on top 1-0. Standing over the ball on a free kick from the right sideline in the 20th minute, the junior defender bent his shot inside the left post for his third goal of the year.
Nova Southeastern (3-3-2) was given the chance for the equalizer five minutes later after Lynn was whistled for a take-down inside the box. Stefano Fanfone stared down Shields but it was Shields who made a diving stop to his right to keep LU on top.
Unfortunately, the Sharks found the back of the net in the 30th minute when Viktor Jonsson slipped a ball past the Fighting Knights defense and Matthew Ilter knocked home the goal to even things up.
The Blue & White came out of the second half as a team possessed, fighting and clawing for balls in the air and loose balls in traffic. Matthias Jaenicke nearly netted his third goal with a direct shot but NSU keeper Jo Jien Lee made an incredible save.
Chris Klarner was inserted into the game at 66:18 and 10 seconds later picked up his first career assist with a pass to Hamui. Lynn's sophomore forward beat his defender and was able to chip a shot over Lee for the decisive goal.
Fans didn't have to wait long for the next score as LU continued with high pressure to draw a corner. Jake Furman sent the kick to the back post where Mochon was able to leap over his defender for the header and 3-1 lead.
Lynn outshot Nova 17-6 and held a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks. Lee turned away four attempts after replacing starter Andrea Ciobetti 15 minutes into the match.
The Fighting Knights return to action on Tuesday, October 8, at 7 p.m. when they travel to Saint Leo, Fla., to battle Saint Leo University. Fans can watch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @LUKnights on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.
