DeLand, Fla. - The Stetson men's soccer team opened the 2009 with a soggy 1-0 win over Northwood University. Both teams played through a steady rain for most of the game.

As the weather began to improve, sophomore Matt Hoskins (Marietta, Ga.) scored his first collegiate goal in the 77th minute to give the Hatters their first win. Senior Robert Hodge (Devon, England) picked up the ball in the right side of the box and centered a perfect pass to Hoskins who blasted a shot to the lower left side of the goal from six yards out.

Goalkeeper Logan Potter (Merritt Island, Fla.) registered his second career shutout. Stetson is now 1-0-0 while Northwood fell to 0-1-1 on the season.

The Seahawks played a strong first half and matched the Hatters in intensity. Although Stetson led 11-6 in shots, Northwood held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. The teams seemed to be feeling each other out. In the second half Stetson's midfield took over and forced the play wide on the field.

"They are a very good defensive team. Their keeper had 10 saves", said Stetson Head Coach T. Logan Fleck. "They played in the NAIA Championship Tournament last year", he added.

Coming out of halftime Stetson took full control of the game and kept the pressure on until the eventual game-winner. In the end Stetson had a 25-12 advantage in shots including 11 on goal. And, the Hatters had six corners in the second half to four for the visitors. Senior Kevin Munz (Jupiter, Fla.) and sophomore Fredrik Brustad (Oslo, Norway) led all players in shots with five, while junior Dan Sackman (Hampshire, England) chipped in three.

"Munzy was awesome in the second half, Fredrik and Set (Carpintero) played well on the defensive end and then pushed the play forward all night, and Ryan (Corning) played very well for the second game in a row", said Fleck. "I was glad to see we had the character to play all the way to the end. We worked right through the entire game".

Stetson now has 10 days off before hitting the road to play Florida International on September 11 and Florida Atlantic on the 13th. The Hatters return home on September 18-20 when they host the Stetson Tournament featuring St. Joseph's, Hofstra, and Jacksonville.