Thursday, November 02, 2006

DELAND, Fla. – No. 5 seeded Jacksonville defeated No. 4 seeded Belmont 1-0 on Thursday in the second game of the Atlantic Sun Men’s Soccer Championship presented by Bealls Outlet. With less than four minutes remaining in the first half, Ramak Niakan safi drove past the Belmont defense to bang in the Dolphins’ game-winner.

The Bruins failed to capitalize on early opportunities in both the first and second half. Both chances came in the first fives minutes off play from Derrick Henry.

The face-off between the A-Sun Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year came to an end with 16 minutes remaining in the game when Belmont’s Jay Ayres received a red card for bringing Tommy Krizanovic down.

Playing without first team all-conference selection Ian Schinelli due to a leg injury, Belmont was held scoreless for the entirety of the game. The Bruins have only scored one goal in their four A-Sun Championship appearances.

The Dolphins kept the pressure on Belmont for the duration of the match, tallying 18 shots and limiting the Bruins to eight shots.

Kyle Roelke was excellent in goal for the Bruins, making eight saves in an effort to keep them in the match. JU’s goalie Chad Comroe gave an outstanding performance with four saves.

Jacksonville is 5-1-1 all-time against Belmont and successfully avenged a 2-0 loss to the Bruins earlier this season. The Dolphins have won four out of their last five games including three shutouts.

The Dolphins advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2002. They will face top-seeded Stetson on Friday at 7 p.m. In their regular season match-up, the Hatters defeated JU 1-0.