Ohlendorf’s Hat Trick Leads Fordham to Win in A-10 Quarterfinals

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Davidson, N.C. – Behind an explosion of offense in the second half, which included a hat trick by junior Eric Ohlendorf, the Fordham men's soccer team advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals with a 4-0 win over the Duquesne Dukes at Alumni Soccer Stadium in Davidson, N.C.
 
The win improved Fordham's record to 9-6-3 on the year, while Duquesne ends their season at 8-5-5.
 
"I'm really proud of how our team went about their business tonight, and we are happy to be in the semis for the third year in a row," said head coach Jim McElderry after the match.

After a scoreless first half, the Rams got on the board in the 64^th minute, as Cole Stevenson made his way into the box for a shot on the right side.  Duquesne goalkeeper Evan Kozlowski made the initial stop, but could not control the rebound, as Eric Ohlendorf knocked in the rebound for his fifth goal of the season.

 
That goal opened up action allowing Fordham to spring some long balls on the Duquesne defense and extend the lead in the 74^th minute.  Joergen Oland connected on a long ball to Janos Loebe, the Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, cutting in on the right side for a shot that Kozlowski got a piece of, but the ball still had enough momentum to cross the goal line for Loebe's team-leading seventh of the season.
 
Just four minutes later, Fordham struck again this time with a long lob into the attacking third. Patrick Thees hit a long high lob from the midfield stripe that Ohlendorf ran on to, fighting off a Duquesne defender.  Ohlendorf then snuck a shot inside the left post for his second goal of the game and sixth of the year.
 
The Rams then capped the victory with a fourth goal in 80^th minute, as Ohlendorf completed the hat trick for his seventh goal of the season.  Andrew Hickey started the play on the left side, sending a cross right along the ground to the front of the net.  Jannik Loebe touched the ball back to the penalty spot, where Ohlendorf drilled home his third goal of the game, becoming the first Ram to record a hat trick since Kevin Meyer did so on October 12, 2007 against La Salle.

"Eric was the difference in the match," said McElderry, "He brings energy every game, whether it's defending on set pieces or getting in on the attack.  Real happy to see him get rewarded tonight."
 
The four-goal output was plenty for Fordham goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu and the Rams' defense, as Nuhu made six saves for his fifth shutout of the season.
 
With four goals tonight, as well as four goals in the regular season finale against St. Bonaventure, it marked the first time in almost three decades, that the Rams have had back-to-back four-goal games.  Fordham had four goals in a game at Iona on September 29, 1988, and followed with five tallies against Manhattan on October 1, 1988.
 
The Fordham men's soccer team will have a quick turnaround, as they play in the Atlantic 10 Championship semifinals against Rhode Island at 7:30 PM on Friday night.

"Tomorrow will be a challenge for all the teams with the quick turnaround.  We going to get some rest tonight and get prepared for another tough opponent," said McElderry.