University of North Florida
Jacksonville
MEN'S SOCCER WEEKLY: Ospreys
host SunTrust River City Rumble match
10/21/2008 11:27:54 AM | Men's Soccer
UNF and Jacksonville battle at Hodges Stadium on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Schedule
UNF (7-8-0, 3-3-0 A-Sun) hosts
Last season, the Ospreys regained the Violett Cup after JU possessed it for two years by beating the Dolphins on their home field, 2-1, in overtime. Sunday's meeting will mark the 15th meeting between the two, with JU holding an 8-6 all-time edge. This season, the Dolphins are third in the A-Sun standings, and the Ospreys sit in the sixth spot.
Live Stats
UNF vs. Jacksonville – Sunday, Oct. 26 – 7 p.m.
ASUN.TV
UNF vs. Jacksonville – Sunday, Oct. 26 – 7 p.m.
Week Recap
In non-conference action, the Ospreys picked up a win in their first match of the week when they moved past Longwood, 3-1. Though the Lancers scored the first goal of the game less than two minutes into the contest, sophomore Adam O'Neill led the charge, helping UNF battle back by assisting on the tying goal in the first half and adding an insurance goal on a penalty kick in the final minutes of the match. Click here for the full story.
The Ospreys suffered their worst loss of the season on Friday night at FGCU when the Eagles flew past UNF 7-1. Junior Steven Lowenthal netted his second goal in as many matches and his third of the season. Click here for the full story.
Senior Tony Restino was faced with a barrage of shots on Sunday when Stetson fired 26 toward the net, with 11 on goal. Restino made a career-high 10 saves, but the one that slipped past decided the match. The Hatters tipped the Ospreys, 1-0, in overtime. Click here for the full story.
Who's Hot
Lowenthal had scored one goal this season before the past week of play. His first goal of the season came at
Hodges Stadium has been kind to the Ospreys this season with UNF posting a 4-1 home record. O'Neill and fellow sophomore Akil DeFreitas have each scored three goals at home this season, and O'Neill has also assisted on two goals. Three of the five Osprey home matches have been decided by a single goal and O'Neill has netted a penalty kick in three matches as well.
Record Watch
With 65 saves this season, Restino needs just one more to place his name on the UNF men's soccer record book top-10 list for saves in a single season. The transfer from Webber International has averaged 4.33 saves per match this season and is on pace to finish with 82, which would rank seventh on the single-season list.
After scoring the game-winner against Mercer two weeks ago, DeFreitas netted the equalizer in UNF's 3-1 win over Longwood last week. His last game-winning goal bumped his career number of game-winning goals to seven, which ties Peter Sesay for the UNF men's soccer career record. DeFreitas' needs just one more game-winner to become UNF's all-time leader and tie his single-season record of four (tied with A.J. Romano).
Quotables
Head coach Ray Bunch on rebounding from a disappointing weekend: “It is always disappointing to lose in overtime. We fought hard and were so close, but we made a mistake and they took advantage of it. I think it showed a lot of character and heart for our guys to bounce back after a poor performance at FGCU two nights earlier.”
Bunch on the tonight's match: “The most important match is always the next match. Obviously, playing JU has more spice, but it's just like any other match in terms of preparation.”
Bunch on closing the season with four home matches: “We've been on the road so much, and we are happy to have some time at home. We aren't guaranteed a win by playing on our own field, but we do have the advantage here. The support from our fans helps us perform well at Hodges Stadium and makes it fun for the guys.”
Admission
No admission will be charged.
Promotions
The Student Government Association will sponsor a tailgate event open to all students and fans. The event will feature free food and drinks and will last from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Additionally, a halftime “punt, throw and kick” contest will be held for three contestants, to be chosen at random, to compete for a semester's meal plan (or equal value in Ozzie Bucks), courtesy of Dr. Buster Browning.
