Box Score Box score

The Northeastern men's soccer team trampled conference foe Hofstra, 4-0, Wednesday night at Parsons Field.

The Huskies came out fired up with freshman Laurence Braude and senior Nick Lueders leading the way with two goals each.

In the game's opening minutes freshman attacker Ricardo McDonald went down with a leg injury, and after a minute of trying to play threw it had to be relieved by Lueders.

Five minutes in to the game the scoring effort began with Braude taking a pass in front of the box from Lueders, and putting the ball passed Hofstra's keeper, giving the Huskies the early 1-0 lead.

15 minutes later, Braude once again found the net on a Nikko Lara deflected shot in the box, putting the ball in the far corner from where the keeper had just made the save.

“That's what we expected,” said head coach Brian Ainscough. “Sometimes you have to get acclimated to the college game with the speed and physicality it brings. We hope today was a sign of more good things to come from Braude.”

In the 30th minute Hofstra went on a short run with Mike Annarumma taking the ball up the field, however senior co-captain Brendan Ennis was able to clear the ball as he approached the box, which was a common theme for the Huskies defense on the night.

Between Ennis and Matt Sanford the ball rarely got deep in the Huskies' zone as they were quick to react and get the ball up the field or out of play when it was needed.

Coming out in the second half the Huskies looked just as motivated in keeping to their game plan and controlling the game.

In the game's 58th minute senior Top Phataraprasit provided Braude with a lead pass that allowed him to be one on one with Hofstra's keeper. After faking him out and approaching the net from the left side, he then slipped as he tried putting the ball in the open net allowing Lueders to come in and finish off the play and score.

“Nick was tremendous tonight, we didn't miss a beat,” said Ainscough.

With nine minutes to go in the game, sophomore Andre Ciliotta made every minute count and was able to beat the defense by leading Lueders with a pass in the box that resulted in him putting the ball passed Hofstra's keeper once again.

Sophomore Oliver Blum was stellar in net on the day making four saves and posting his third shutout of the season.

Coming off of a 0-2 loss to Georgia State this was a victory the Huskies were hungry for in their effort to getting back to .500, and keeping their hopes alive for the postseason hunt.

“This game was big. We needed it and I think our boys knew how bad it tasted after losing this weekend. In conference we expect to still be unbeaten, but we'll put that in our rearview mirror,” said Ainscough.

The Huskies go to 4-5-2 on the season as they look forward to playing UNC Wilmington at Parsons Field Saturday at 6 p.m.

Wednesday's victory against Hofstra can be replayed on GoNU.TV along with all Huskies' home contests.