Now 6-0-1 overall, the men?s soccer team extended its unbeaten streak with solid wins over New York University and Hobart College this week by identical scores of 3-0.
UR?s first victory of the week came last Saturday as they opened up conference play with a strong performance against the previously undefeated Violets of NYU, now at 3-1-0 overall.
With an eerily incomplete skyline in the background of New York City, the Yellowjackets trounced their first UAA foe behind two goals from junior forward Jacques Appleby at Riverbank State Park this past Saturday.
Appleby?s first goal came off a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Ben Cross after just five minutes of play. He pounded home his second on a penalty kick at 14:21 to put UR ahead 2-0.
Sophomore defender Brandon Laws would rounded out UR?s scoring midway through the second half as he volleyed a corner kick by junior midfielder Matt Lillienfeld into the back of the net.
The Yellowjackets brought home their second victory of the week as they beat Hobart College 3-0 in Geneva Tuesday.
Senior forward and captain Bill Miller got his first goal of the year off a cross from Cross to open up the scoring for UR.Less than four minutes later, Appleby doubled the lead, bringing his team-leading season tally to five goals. Jeff Parrinello finished off the scoring for UR in the second half with his second goal of the season.
However, Hobart failed to find the back of the net and only forced Minehan to make three saves en route to his second consecutive shutout.
Head coach Chris Apple emphasized the importance of these shutouts. ?One of our goals all season has been to get shutouts,? Apple said.
?The discipline and focus is really starting to show with these two straight shutouts. It?s a tribute to the goaltenders and defenders, but also the team as a whole for working to get back and get behind the ball when the opponent has possession,? he added.
Apple praised Appleby, who has scored in three consecutive games for a ?tremendous week,? and Minehan for ?playing very well and snuffing out any opportunities the opposition has to get dangerous.?
He commended Miller for his first goal of the season.
?It was nice to see him get on the board, he?s been battling injuries all season and now he?s coming back and playing well,? he said.
Appleby was honored as this week?s University Athletic Association?s offensive player of the week, while Minehan shared honors for the UAA?s defensive player of the week. With UAA competition key to earning a NCAA tournament bid, UR?s next match against Emory University, who stands at 5-2-1 overall, is critical.
UR will host the Eagles at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fauver Stadium in what Apple predicts ?will be a close game.?
?This is the type of game that competitors love. They are good opponents. We?re playing well and we?ll be on our home field, so I?d give us the edge in a close, well-fought game,? Apple said.
Appleby is confident in his team?s ability to perform. ?Our focus is good. Coach always has us really well prepared for every game,? he said. ?If we go in and play the way we play and not worry about the way they do, the results should be good.?
Seferiadis can be reached at jseferiadis@campustimes.org.
