Men’s soccer blanks UNC Pembroke, fifth of the season

By Eric Albury | gargoyle@flagler.edu
Photo by Eric Albury

The Flagler College men’s soccer team recorded their fifth shutout of the season and their fourth consecutive on the road Friday, Sept. 23,  blanking UNC Pembroke 2-0.

Flagler has a shutout percentage of 0.71, the nation’s fourth best. Goalkeeper Camp Bissel is ranked No. 9 nationally in goals against average, his numbers being 0.376.

Not only has the defense of Flagler been superb, but the offense as well. The Saints are ranked ninth in scoring offense (3.0) and team goals against average (0.55). Matt Hough has an average of 1.14 goals per game, making him No. 6 in the country. He is also ranked seventh in total goals, scoring 8.

The Saints improved to a 10th place tie with defending national champions Northern Kentucky University in the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Flagler College jumped 13 spots from No. 23.

This ranking is the highest this season, and the highest rank since being No. 8 in September 2010.

“We have a very mature team this year,” said John Lynch, Head Coach of the Saints for 13 years. “Our goals have always been the same, to win the Championship. But this year we have a new motto: ‘Who’s next?’ Win or lose, we’re always looking to the next game.”

After being shutout by Rollins on Wednesday, Sept.28th, and falling to Lander on Oct. 1st, Flagler fell to 5-3-1, with a conference record of 3-1-1.