Men’s Soccer Advances to A-10 Semifinal with 1-0 Win Over UMass

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It was a physical, intense match-up in the second Atlantic 10 quarterfinal at George Mason Stadium in Fairfax, Virginia.  But what else would you expect when the two teams played just five days ago?  Unlike that decision which went to Massachusetts, Thursday's decision went to Fordham, as the Rams posted a 1-0 victory to advance to Friday's conference semifinal.
 
With the win, Fordham improved to 7-7-4 on the season, while Massachusetts ends their season at 5-13-1.
 
The game was tightly played in the first half, as each team registered just four shots with no goals being scored. 
 
Things opened up a bit in the second half, as the Minutemen controlled the possession game early on and earned five corner kick chances in the period.  The best of those chances came on a Will Ellis shot from 25 yards out that sailed high over the crossbar.
 
The Rams then got their first scoring chance of the second half, when Ryan Walsh put a lead pass ahead to Janos Loebe cutting in on a breakaway from the left side.  UMass' goalkeeper Jorge Becerra came out to challenge and was able to stop Loebe to keep the game scoreless.

 
In the 83^rd minute, Fordham finally broke through with the only goal of the game.  Eric Ohlendorf slipped a pass to Jannik Loebe cutting in from the right side.  Loebe was able to cross the ball past the UMass defensive line to an open Janos Loebe at the top of the six-yard box.  He was pulled down with a wide open net in front of him and a penalty kick was awarded to Fordham.  Jannik then stepped to the penalty spot and drilled home his fifth goal of the season for the game-winning goal.
 
In net, Fordham's Rashid Nuhu returned to make one save for his sixth shutout of the season, while Becerra made four stops for the Minutemen.
 
The Fordham men's soccer team now moves onto the Atlantic 10 semifinal on Friday, November 13^th, when the Rams take on the VCU Rams at 5:00 PM.  VCU upset top-seeded George Washington, 4-0, in the first quarterfinal of the tournament.