September 26, 2021 recap courtesy of Husson

CAZENOVIA, N.Y. - The Husson men's soccer team responded to a disappointing first-half performance yesterday with a decisive display in the first half of today's contest against Cazenovia College. Five different goalscorers in the first half as the Eagles defeated the Wildcats, 6-0, to remain unbeaten in the North Atlantic Conference. With the win, Husson is now 5-2-2 and 2-0-1 in the NAC while Cazenovia fall to 4-4 on the season and 2-2 in the conference.  


Husson controlled the game from the first

minute, creating 16 attempts, while converting 6 of them into goals. Joao Passoni set the tone of the afternoon with a sublime free kick that was curled around the wall and into the bottom left corner from about 20 yards out. A few minutes later, Jordi Cabau continued his recent run of form in front of goal when the ball fell nicely to him at the top of the 18-yard box, which he hit with a perfect volley into the bottom left corner after some impressive build up play by the Eagles.


Husson remained in cruise mode when captain, Oscar Berntsson, tallied his first goal of the season after a great run out to the right side of the penalty box which was found by a perfect through ball from Florian Gasser, Berntsson completed the move by smashing the ball by the Wildcat goalkeeper. Fred Longo improved on his key performance yesterday to score the Eagles fourth goal. The ball made its way down the left side of the park and fell to the feet of Cabau, who provided the cutest of flicks into Longo's path which he struck on the volley, looping over the Wildcat keeper's head and into the far corner of the goal. Cabau was involved again for the Eagles fifth, having escaped behind the Wildcat defense and delivering a teasing ball across the six-yard box, his cross found an unmarked Passoni on the far post who had the easiest of tap-ins. The first half frenzy was complete with just over a minute remaining. Nate Chamberland did well to get in behind the Wildcat back line and cut the ball back for Florian Gasser to slot in from six yards out. The Eagles continued to dominate the game in the second half, but the Wildcats showed great determination to sure up their defense and prevented the Eagles from scoring any further goals.


Head Coach Gavin Penny remarked, "I was very happy with our reaction to yesterday's disappointing first half which ultimately cost us the game. Today we were fantastic! We moved the ball with purpose and looked committed to executing our actions. The score line is only part of the story, but our performance was exemplary today, we really proved to ourselves how good we can be on any given day. The lads were hungry to appease yesterday's let down and did so, ever so well. It was a total team performance. Every player on this team is capable of playing at the levels we want to reach, and it was a total team effort to get through our second game in 20 hours. It's such a joy to watch them play when they are doing things the right way and enjoying their football. With half the season now complete, I am really excited to see us continue to develop together and see where our performances lead us."


The Eagles look to continue their first half form when they continue their conference schedule with a midweek trip to northern Maine as they visit the University of Maine at Presque Isle for a NAC Battle of the Birds. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th.