POINT FOR THE OSPREYS! UNF downs JU in 'Rumble'

Wednesday, October 17

Jacksonville, Fla.

7:00 PM

University of North Florida

Jacksonville

Akil DeFreitas

10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Akil DeFreitas scores game-winner in second OT

Oct. 17, 2007

Box Score l SunTrust River City Rumble Home Page

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida men's soccer team has become somewhat of a giant killer in the Atlantic Sun Conference over the last two weeks. After knocking off preseason favorite Campbell two weeks ago to hand the Camels their first home loss in two years, the Ospreys again toyed with the league's best on Wednesday night, knocking off first-place Jacksonville 2-1 in double overtime.

Akil DeFreitas scored the game-winning goal seven minutes into the extra period at the Ashley Sports Complex to give the Ospreys (5-7-0, 4-3-0 A-Sun) the opening point in the 2007-08 SunTrust River City Rumble competition and claim the Viollet Cup for the first time since 2003. The trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the men's soccer game between JU and UNF.

"I am obviously very proud of the boys," UNF head coach Ray Bunch said. "After losing in overtime twice this year, we were beginning to think we were snake bitten a little, so this was a nice win. The boys showed a lot of confidence in the game plan and showed the ability to keep going."

After a scoreless first half when both teams missed key opportunities to get on the board, UNF's Adam O'Neill opened the scoring in the 58th minute by punching in a free kick from Mikhail Awai to give the Ospreys a 1-0 advantage. JU (7-5-1, 5-2-0 A-Sun) answered four minutes later on a header from Nedim Hrustic to even the match.

From there the teams settled into a defensive slugfest before the Ospreys finally broke through seven minutes into the second overtime period. Shareef Rajkumar started the play from midfield by slipping the ball down near the JU goal. DeFreitas then snuck in and pushed it just past the JU keeper and into the right corner of the net for the game winner.

The Dolphins tallied 18 shots, including six on goal, while UNF had 10 shots and just four on goal. Andrew Calise enjoyed a solid day in net for the Ospreys, tallying five saves. Matt Gilman recorded two saves and allowed both UNF goals.

JU entered the game ranked 10th in the latest South Region poll produced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"It was a very close game and could have gone either way," Bunch said. "My hat is off to JU, because they are still on top of our league. Sometimes it comes down to who wants it the most, and tonight we wanted it a little more than they did."

The Viollet Cup is in honor of Dennis Viollet, a former professional soccer player with Manchester United and an English international, who a former JU coach who was a key member of starting up the UNF soccer program. Viollet still holds Manchester United's single season scoring record after he scored 32 goals in the 1959-1960 season.

UNF returns to action on Sunday at Hodges Stadium when it plays host to Presbyterian at 1 p.m. The event will be a part of the year-long 25-Year Celebration for UNF Athletics and will feature the unveiling of the Top 10 moments in UNF men's soccer history, as well as the honoring of multiple former Osprey greats at halftime. In addition, a tailgate barbecue will be held prior to the game with free food and drinks for fans, courtesy of longtime UNF supporter Tony Weight.