HILLSIDE, N.J. (9/13/14) – Senior goaltender Nick Pavlichko stopped seven shots on his way to his third shutout of the season as the Kean University men's soccer team topped the University of Mary Washington 1-0 on Saturday on a goal by Sevag Kherlopian. Both teams came into the game with identical 2-2-1 records.
The Cougars got off to a great start via Kherlopian's goal less than six minutes into the contest. Robert Barrera sent Kherlopian a beautiful one-touch pass that sprang the freshman in behind all the Eagle defenders. Only needing to beat the goalie, Kherlopian put the ball on the ground in the lower left-hand corner of the net for the first goal of his collegiate career.
Pavlichko made a fantastic save to keep Kean in the lead late in the second half. On a hard strike from the top of the box, the senior went fully horizontal to deflect a ball bound for the lower right-hand corner of the cage.
After Kean's fast start to the game, the Eagles dictated play for most of the first half, and took nine shots to the Cougars' five. Pavlichko made four first-half saves to maintain his shutout, however.
Nick Sheppard's shot grazed the outside of the post with 10 minutes gone in the second for Mary Washington. It was the first shot of the half for either side, but UMW continued to push for the equalizer and held the Cougars to just one second-half shot.
In the 61st minute, Pavlichko dove to snare another good Eagle chance – this time off a header – as the rain started to fall again on the East Campus.
With 13 minutes to go, Pavlichko made another fantastic play, coming to the top of his box to stop a Mary Washington breakaway. The Eagles were outshooting Kean 15-6 at the time but had not yet scored.
The Cougars were content to play shut-down defense the rest of the way. Neither team took a shot over the final 13 minutes as Kean earned the 1-0 win. The Cougars have surrendered just three goals in their first six games under new head coach Rob Irvine.
Kean will continue its homestand on Wednesday when the Cougars host Haverford College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Kean Alumni Stadium.
