JU men's soccer shuts out Presbyterian, 3-0
Senior Ramak Niakan Safi scores twice to lead JU

9/12/08

COLUMBIA, S.C. Sept. 12, 2008 The first match of a seven-game road trip didn't faze the JU men's soccer team too much as the Dolphins add two second-half goals to down Presbyterian, 3-0, on Friday night at the first day of the adidas/Gamecock Classic in Columbia, S.C.

Senior midfielder Ramak Niakan Safi scored twice and assisted on the final goal by senior forward Sebastian Lindholm to lead the Dolphins' (2-3-0) in scoring. The Blue Hose (0-3-1) were held to two shots each half by the JU defense.

"It was good for us to get a shutout win under our belts," said head coach Mike Johnson. "We were down a little from last weekend, but this win definitely put us back in the right direction.

"South Carolina is going a challenge on Sunday and we will have to bring our "A" game against them. We look forward to the test."

Less than 15 minutes into the match, senior defender Philipp Meyner hooked up with Niakan Safi on a score to give the Dolphins the early lead.

Niakan Safi helped make it 2-0 after scoring himself less than six minutes into the second half. He helped put the game out of reach in the 54-minute by assisting Lindholm on his first goal of the season.

Senior goalie Joey Sanchez (2-2-0) only need to make one save to earn his second win in goal, while Blue Hose keeper Andrew Brandt allowed all three of JU's goals to take the loss.

The Dolphins wrap up the classic on Sunday against the host Gamecocks. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. and fans can follow live through Game tracker on Gamecocksonline.com