LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. ( Oct. 12, 2023) – Florida National University’s men’s soccer team (8-1-3) settled for a scoreless draw versus the Washington Adventist University Shock (8-4-2) to open its time at the CAC Classic in Lawrenceville, Ga. WAU came into this match confident in its team’s ability to execute an upset after handing hosts and No. 24 Georgia Gwinnett College (5-4-3) a 1-0 loss on Oct. 12.
Florida National held the Shock to zero shots in the contest but was not able to convert any of their 20 attempts into a goal.
The first half was a busy one for WAU’s goalie Gregorio Capponi. He faced seven shots on goal and recorded five saves before the period was over. FNU’s shots hit everything but the back of the net, including a couple of beauties from Bautista Dominguez that missed wide left or hit the crossbar. Marcos Bakale had two shots saved by Capponi and FNU’s Manuel Rodriguez took a shot with 44:48 left on the clock that sent both teams off the field for halftime.
When play resumed, Luis Martinez got off two shots to start the second that went wide of the mark. Despite not taking a single shot the entire game, the Shock were aggressive and relentless on defense. Their aggression also led WAU to pick up all three of the yellow cards issued in the contest. (Giovanni Torrente, Thijs Velhorst, and Aidan Hidassy)
All nine of FNU’s attempts towards the goal came up short in the second half and defender Ricardo Delwing had one final chance to give FNU an advantage on a header that landed into the arms of Capponi with 45 seconds left on the clock. FNU dominated most statistical categories and racked up 10 corner kicks in the draw. Capponi ended the night with seven saves.
Up Next: FNU’s time in Lawrenceville, Ga., continues tomorrow with a 7 p.m. match versus the No. 24 Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies.
