Sullivan, Pugliese lead Greyhounds past previously undefeated Bentley, 1-0, in Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer action

September 10, 2008

Assumption 1, Bentley 0

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Freshman midfielder JUSTIN PUGLIESE (Pembroke, MA/Pembroke) scored the games lone goal and sophomore goalkeeper BRANDAN SULLIVAN (Halesite, NY/Saint Dominic) made two saves to post the shutout as Assumption College men's soccer defeated previously undefeated Northeast-10 Conference rival Bentley College, 1-0, WEDNESDAY night at the Multi-Sport Stadium.

The Greyhounds evened their overall record at 1-1-1 and improved to 1-0-1 in the conference, while the Falcons fell to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Pugliese's first career goal came as he collected his own rebound and deflected it past a prone Bentley sophomore goalie MICHAEL NIKIFOROV (Framingham, MA/Framingham) into the far corner. The goal came in the 31st minute of the first half.

Sullivan, who set the Greyhound single-season record for minutes (1676) last year posted his first shutout of the season and fifth of his career. His goals-against average this season is 0.93. The Falcons' Nikiforov has been particularly stingy in net allowing just two goals in 360 minutes of work (0.50 goals against average).

Sophomore defender GREG ANDERSON (Framington, CT/Farmington) (PICTURED RIGHT) was singled out for his work in front of Sullivan.

The Greyhounds with the victory are now in second place with four points behind only nationally ranked Southern Connecticut (2-0, 6 points).

Assumption outshot the Falcons, 16-5, with a wide advantage (11-2) in the first half. The Greyhounds also had a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The Greyhounds are next in action Saturday when they host Northeast-10 Conference rival Stonehill College in the Multi-Sport Stadium at 1 p.m. Stonehill was a 1-0 winner over American International tonight. Bentley plays next at LeMoyne, also on Saturday, at 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE for Assumption-Bentley box score