Sept. 23, 2006

Box Score

WESTMINSTER, MD - Sophomore Akash Naik (Simpsonville, SC/Hillcrest) scored in the 10th minute and it turned out to be all the Blue Jays would need. The #23 Johns Hopkins men's soccer team (9-1-0, 2-0-0) shutout McDaniel 1-0 (3-4-0, 0-2-0) on the road in Centennial Conference action Saturday afternoon. Senior goalie Danny Coble (Fremont, CA/Bellarmine College Prep) made three saves to preserve his sixth shutout of the season.

Just 10 minutes into the game, sophomore John Scheuch (Ridgewood, NJ/Delbarton) played the ball in deep to junior co-captain Ben McAbee (Hagerstown, MD/ North Hagerstown). McAbee collected the pass and dribbled in towards the right post, drawing two defenders to him. He turned and dropped the ball back to Naik, who ripped a shot from about 12 yards out, just tucking it inside the right post.

Action was tight and physical from then on out, with each team having its chances. In the 81st minute, McDaniel nearly tied the game, but thanks to Coble and freshman Tommy McQueen (West Hartford, CT/Choate Rosemary Hall) the game remained at 1-0. Adam Sommers took a shot from the left side, Coble came out and got a hand on the ball. It ricocheted out to Chas Gray who ripped a shot into an apparent empty net. McQueen charged in and cleared the ball of the line and out of danger.

By the end of the game, 30 fouls had been called, including nine yellow cards and three Hopkins players had left the field because they were bloodied. Green Terror goalie Christian Maisel finished with 10 saves in the loss. Hopkins held the edge in shots (14-7) and corner kicks (3-2).

The Blue Jays return to action on Wednesday, September 27 as the Gettysburg Bullets visit Homewood Field. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.