JOHNSON CITY, TENN. – Richard Jata scored his fourth game-winning goal in his last four matches, Aaron Johnson recorded his third-straight shutout and Campbell defeated East Tennessee State 1-0 Saturday to clinch the Atlantic Sun Conference men’s soccer regular season title.
Campbell (10-5, 8-0 A-Sun) won its eighth-straight game, while securing its second league regular season trophy in the last four years. CU won the 2005 A-Sun regular season title, and claimed the 2007 league tournament championship.
The Camels are unbeaten in their last 14 games against A-Sun men’s soccer opponents (12-0-2) dating to a 3-2 setback at Lipscomb on Oct. 13, 2007. The Camels also own the best A-Sun regular season record (24-4-4) of all league members since the start of the 2005 season.
Campbell’s victory also extended the team’s longest winning streak since the 1993 squad won 10-consecutive games from Sept. 11 through Oct. 13. Six of CU’s last eight victories have come in one-goal decisions.
Jata’s fifth goal of the year and fourth game-winner came after Khalil Johnson was pulled down from behind about 30 yards from the ETSU goal. The senior midfielder from Port Richey, Fla., then connected a right-footed free kick inside the near post.
Campbell owns a 16-0-1 record in games when Jata scores since he joined the team in 2006.
ETSU (5-8-1, 1-5-1) nearly equalized from the following kick-off, when Sean Hoek broke behind the Camel back four on a breakaway attempt, but Aaron Johnson made a one-on-one save to preserve the margin.
Pat Danford nearly doubled the lead in the 88th minute, but ETSU keeper James Holt saved his attempt in the box to keep the Bucs within one.
Aaron Johnson made four saves in the Camel nets while recording his third-straight shutout and sixth of the year. In the process, Johnson moved into a tie for second place on the A-Sun career shutouts chart with 18. He has not allowed a goal in his last 300 minutes played.
“I’m proud of the team, and the effort they put in on this road trip with two clean sheets,” said head coach Doug Hess. “We’re continually finding different ways to win. There was a lot on the line for both teams today with ETSU trying to get into the tournament and for us as well trying to secure one of the top two spots in the tournament. That made for a good environment and a good game for the crowd to watch.”
Not only did Campbell clinch a first-round bye in the A-Sun Championship, which the Camels will host Nov. 12-15, but it also claimed the top seed for the first time since 2005. Campbell also has the opportunity to be the first A-Sun men’s soccer team to ever win nine regular season games next Saturday at home against Mercer.
Campbell will put its perfect 6-0 home record on the line Tuesday night when eighth-ranked North Carolina visits the Eakes Athletic Complex for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.
Campbell 1, East Tennessee State 0
Scoring:
CAM (64:09) Richard Jata (unassisted)
Shots: Campbell 11, ETSU 10
Shots on Goal: Campbell 7, ETSU 4
Corner Kicks: Campbell 3, ETSU 2
Saves: Campbell (Aaron Johnson) 4, ETSU (James Holt) 6
Fouls: Campbell 6, ETSU 12
Records: Campbell 10-5-0, 8-0-0 A-Sun; ETSU 5-8-1, 1-5-1
Courtesy: GoCamels.com