NEW YORK, N.Y.- The Hunter College men's soccer team returned to the win column Saturday afternoon, earning a 2-1 road victory over City College of New York (CCNY) in a City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) matchup at Randall's Island. The Hawks improved to 5-6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play behind goals from Achilleas Fertitta-Boutis and Cole Maguire.
Hunter controlled the pace early, generating nine shots in the opening half while holding CCNY (4-7-3, 2-3-1 CUNYAC) without an attempt. The Hawks broke through in the 20th minute when Filippos Lakiotis set up Fertitta-Boutis for the opening goal, giving the Purple and Gold a 1-0 advantage.
The Hawks continued to create chances before the break, with Mamadou Faye putting an attempt on goal in the 24th minute. Fernando Zuvela nearly doubled the advantage in the 32nd when his header struck the post, but Hunter carried its one-goal lead into halftime.
CCNY found the equalizer in the 60th minute, setting up a back-and-forth second half. Jaerang Lee put two attempts on target, while Fertitta-Boutis, Lakiotis and Benjamin Huguenin each forced saves as Hunter searched for the go-ahead goal.
The breakthrough came in the 77th minute when Maguire found the back of the net for the game-winner, restoring Hunter's advantage at 2-1. The goal marked Maguire's second consecutive match with a goal and proved to be the difference as the Hawks held off a late push from CCNY.
Matthew Fridburg anchored the defensive effort in goal, recording four saves, all in the second half, to preserve the victory. Fridburg made three stops in a six-minute stretch before Hunter's go-ahead goal and added another in the 88th minute to secure the win.
Hunter finished with a commanding 16-5 advantage in shots, placing eight on goal, while earning five corner kicks.
The Hawks return to action on Oct. 21 against Medgar Evers at 3 p.m. on Randall's Island Field 83. Hunter will honor its graduating senior class prior to kick off.
