Sept. 5, 2008
DURHAM, N.C. - Junior midfielder Luis Martinez recorded a goal and an assist to lead the American University men's soccer team to a 3-0 win over ACC opponent North Carolina State at the Duke/Nike Classic on Friday at Koskinen Stadium. Freshman goalkeeper Matt Makowski picked up his second shutout in three games for the Eagles.
AU pressured from the opening whistle and had two early opportunities as Cooper Bryant sent a header just wide of the net off of a David Menzie corner kick in the third minute of play. Just a minute later Menzie found himself on the end of a Cameron Petty cross but sent the shot right at the N.C. State keeper.
The Wolfpack tested Eagles keeper Matt Makowski with 28:40 remaining in the first half when Chris Zuerner sent a shot on goal that the freshman couldn't handle cleanly, but was able to reach the rebound first to keep the scoreless tie intact.
Makowski came up big with 17 minutes elapsed in the half when he stopped a shot heading towards the lower right corner sent in from Romulo Manzano. The Eagles then took the ensuing possession the length of the field for their first goal of the game. Menzie sent a ball into the box for Mike Worden, who laid off a perfect drop pass to Luis Martinez. Martinez hit a perfect strike from 28 yards out to the right upper corner to give American a 1-0 lead with 15:33 remaining in the first half.
Karsten Smith almost doubled the lead in 36th minute of play as Danny Shannon's footwork from the left of the box produced a scoring chance, but Wolfpack keeper Will Mackvick stopped him cold to keep the Eagles lead at one.
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Menzie was back at it again minutes later, setting up another AU corner when he forced Mackvick to make a tip over the net. Shannon put the ball into the box that cleared out to Martinez outside the 18 yard box. Martinez chipped a ball to the far post and found Smith waiting for the easy tuck in with just over two minutes left in the half and the Eagles took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
N.C. State had the first real chance in the second half in the 65th minute when Ronnie Bouemboue broke into goal alone, but Bryant made a 30-yard recovery run to tie him up before he could get a shot off on Makowski.
Just minutes later Makowski was tested on a 15-yard shot from Alan Sanchez that he was able to send wide for a corner kick. Bryant cleared the ball from danger and AU retained its 2-0 lead with 23 minutes left in the game.
The Wolfpack continued to press but found themselves victim of another counter-attack as Worden picked up his second assist of the day on a through ball to Anthony Moy. Moy slipped by the N.C. State defense and one-timed the pass just out of the reach of Mackvick to the far post to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead that would hold up as the final result.
N.C. State had a 15-11 advantage in shots and took 12 corners to AU's five, but were unable to get past the Eagles defense. Makowski finished with six saves, while Mackvick made four stops on goal.
The Eagles will look to win the Duke/Nike Classic on Sunday when they play the host Blue Devils at 2:30 p.m. at Koskinen Stadium.
