Jack Blatchford
Jack Blatchford

Hoffman, Blatchford Lead Bentley Past Assumption 1-0

WALTHAM, Mass. – Junior Nick Hoffman (East Brookfield, Mass./Quabbin) provided the goal, and keeper Jack Blatchford (Douglas, Mass./Douglas) came up with several key saves as the Bentley men's soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over Northeast-10 rival Assumption on Friday afternoon.

Hoffman's goal came in the 15th minute, with junior midfielder Marty Ryan (Albany, N.Y./Albany) providing his third assist of the season.

Blatchford then helped that lead stand up, particularly in the second half when he made four saves.

The Falcons snap a three match skid with the victory and improve to 2-4-1 in Northeast-10 play.

Ryan set the goal up with a cross from the right wing into the six-yard box, where Hoffman was waiting to volley it into the back of the net to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes of action.

Assumption's first real scoring chance came in 53rd minute, courtesy of forward Glenn LiBassi, who teed up an open shot from 20 yards away, only for Blatchford to calmly make the save.

Ryan and Hoffman almost combined again to give Bentley a 2-0 lead just two minutes later. Ryan played a short corner kick that Hoffman volleyed from 12 yards out, only for Assumption's goalie Dana King to make a good save.

Blatchford's best save of the afternoon came in the 69th minute to help preserve Bentley's lead. Assumption's Sarandon Dias had a clear header from 10 yards away after a cross was played into the box, but Blatchford made a diving stop to his right.

Blatchford came up with another save in the 89th minute on a shot by midfielder Matt Gilson.

With the win in the books, Bentley's next match is Wednesday afternoon at home against Saint Michael's. Kickoff is 3:30 pm.