MEN’S SOCCER

The Forester men’s soccer team defended their home turf Saturday afternoon at King Stadium by notching a hard-fought 1-0 win over the visiting Cougars of Saint Francis (3-2-1, 2-2). With this win, HU improves to 2-0-2 in league play as well as overall.

Huntington hasn’t lost to USF since 2014 for a record since then of 6-0-1 which includes a current three-game win streak.

Despite zeros across the scoreboard at intermission, the Foresters set the tone as the aggressors throughout the period with several dangerous but missed opportunities. The hosts generated nine shots, five on frame, to USF’s three and enjoyed the tilt in corner kicks 4-0.

Lawson and crew didn’t miss the next opportunity which came just five minutes into the second frame when Eric Ocock slotted a ball across the front of the net that Keegan Lee ran onto and hammered home. The goal is Lee’s first in Forester green.

While the Cougars closed the gap in shots taken after that, HU maintained the upper hand to finish with 13 shots, nine on goal, while their visitors posted ten shots with all but three on target. Gabe Greenfield and his backline successful kept Saint Francis from finding back netting for HU’s second shutout of the year. It also proved the first match this season the Cougars have been held scoreless.

“I was pleased with our play today – especially in the second half,” said Coach Lawson. “We tightened our game up by playing much quicker and cleaner which put more pressure on them.

“I was also encouraged by the way we dealt with Saint Francis and their restarts. They demand that you compete every single play and I felt the boys were up for the occasion.”

HU hits the road on Wednesday for a matchup with Mount Vernon under the lights at 7:00 p.m.