Hatters Defeat Pride to Win Stetson Soccer Classic



DeLand, Fla. - The Stetson men's soccer team registered its third consecutive shutout, and fourth overall this season with a 1-0 win over Hofstra in the finale of the Stetson Soccer Classic. With the win Stetson improved to a perfect 5-0-0 on the season, while Hofstra dropped to 2-4-0.



The deciding moment in a hard-fought, close game was a penalty kick that was awarded to Stetson in the 73rd minute. With the game on the line senior captain Robert Hodge (Devon, England) stepped up and delivered the winning goal.



Defensively the Hatters came through with another gem. Hodge, goalkeeper Logan Potter (Merritt Island, Fla.), the rest of the back four and the Stetson midfield were exceptional en route to their third consecutive shutout and fourth overall in five games. The team goals against average is now a very impressive 0.40 on the season.



“This was a hard-fought game. Both teams worked hard under the extreme Florida sun”, said Stetson Head Coach T. Logan Fleck. “It was a good game for us to show our character. Our midfield played wide all day and our defense was great.”



With two wins on the weekend the Hatters earned the title of Tournament Champions of the inaugural Stetson Soccer Classic.



“We are very happy to win the first Stetson Soccer Classic. We are planning more in the future”, said Fleck.



Hodge was named the tournament MVP. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team from Stetson were Potter, Gonzalo de Mujica (Weston, Fla.) and Jonathan Mendoza (Altamonte Springs, Fla.).



Fellow A-Sun Conference members Jacksonville joined Stetson in welcoming Hofstra and Saint Joseph’s to Florida this weekend. Next week Stetson will travel to Jacksonville to return the favor and play a pair of games against the College of Charleston (Friday at 5:00 p.m.) and Alabama A&M (Sunday at 11:00 a.m.) in the JU/Nike Invitational