Blassou celebration
Jaylynn Nash
3
American AU (4-1-3, 2-1-2)
3
Jacksonville JAC (7-4-2, 4-2-0)
American AU
(4-1-3, 2-1-2)
3
Final
3
Jacksonville JAC
(7-4-2, 4-2-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 OT 3 F
American AU 1 2 0 0 0 3
Jacksonville JAC 0 3 0 0 0 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men's Soccer Advances to NCAA Second Round with PK Triumph over Jacksonville

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – American University men's soccer advanced past its opening-round game in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth straight time, surviving an aggressive Jacksonville squad on Thursday night to triumph in penalty kicks, 5-4, after the game officially ended in a 3-3 draw.
 
QUICK NOTABLES
  • David Coly scored the opening goal, chipping a shot past an out-of-position keeper from outside the 18-yard box. This marks the fifth straight game with a goal for Coly, a feat no Eagle has accomplished since at least 2001.
  • American is now unbeaten in six straight games, matching its longest streak since ending the 2016 season on a six-game run.
  • This is the first time American has advanced via PKs since the 2011 Patriot League semifinals against Navy. The Eagles had only been to PKs one other time in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Virginia in the 1984 Round of 16.
  • Three goals matches AU's highest offensive output in the NCAA Tournament. It has happened three other times.
  • Jack Green scored his first career goal on Thursday night, an arcing free kick from way outside the box that found the far corner to give AU a 3-1 lead in the second half.
  • With the victory, AU moves to 2-0-1 all-time at Spry Stadium after winning twice during the 2001 NCAA Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Kyle Hellmann picked up his first of two assists on the night in the 22nd minute, finding Coly who magnificently chipped a goal past the keeper.
  • That was the only scoring of the half as it was a pretty defensive first 45 minutes. Both teams only managed four shots in the frame.
  • The Eagles found some insurance in the 52nd minute, as Nicolas Blassou was in the box for a set piece and fired home a ball that was bouncing around dangerously. Hellmann made the initial pass in before it deflected off Jerry Zouantcha.
  • The tally marked Blassou's second goal in three games after only scoring once during the first 29 games of his career.
  • Jacksonville responded with a goal just seven minutes later to cut the deficit to one.
  • Green's free-kick goal in the 61st minute appeared to put the Eagles in a comfortable position, up 3-1.
  • The Dolphins had something to say about that. Upping their offensive pace and pushing American onto its heels, Jacksonville scored in the 82nd and 85th minute to even the score at 3-3.
  • The American defense was able to regain composure after the short break between regulation and overtime, and Jacksonville couldn't find a game-winner despite having a couple great chances as time winded down.
  • In the shootout, American made all five of their kicks, while Jacksonville hit the crossbar on their fourth attempt.
  • Oscar McConnell put the clinching PK in the back of the net to send AU to the Second Round. Other Eagles to find the back of the net during the shootout were Coly, Green, Viggo Sjoberg, and Robbie Matei.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Coly continues his remarkable season with his sixth goal of the season and 10th of his career.
  • With his two assists on Thursday, Hellmann now has three this season after having none in his first two years.
  • Zouantcha picked up his first assist since Nov. 2, 2018 against Army.
  • Jacksonville outshot American, 17-10, including 13-6 from the second half on.
  • AU was able to push the pace and draw seven corner kicks compared to just two for the Dolphins.
UP NEXT
  • AU plays No. 1 seed Clemson on Sunday, May 2 at 4 p.m.
  • The game will take place at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.
  • The Eagles have played Clemson four times, including twice in the NCAA Tournament. AU will be looking for their first win over the Tigers.
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
  • A limited number of tickets are now available for AU's Second Round game vs. Clemson on Sunday, May 2 to be played at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
  • Tickets are $20 in the stands and $15 for the hill.
  • Physical distancing guidelines must be followed, and masks must be worn when not eating/drinking.
  • Click HERE to purchase tickets now for the second round.
  • Fans should plan to park in the parking lot at the corner of Polo Road and Long Road, and enter via the back stadium entrance closest to Polo Road.
VIRTUALLY "PHIL" REEVES FIELD PRESENTED BY GEICO
  • Support AU Men's Soccer by helping to virtually "Phil Reeves Field" this postseason!
  • Help us reach our goal of 100 new tickets by kick-off on Sunday vs. Clemson.
  • The "AU Founder" ticket price of $18.93 commemorates the year AU was founded.
  • Receive a commemorative ticket and wallpaper by purchasing your virtual tickets HERE!
KEEP UP WITH US
  • For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MSoccer), Facebook (/AU.MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
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