WEEK of: SEPTEMBER 15-21, 2008
CRISTHIAN ACUNA has been named the NJCU Men's Athlete of the Week for the third time in four weeks this season and the eighth time in his career. On September 20,
Acuna scored twice, as NJCU opened a 5-0 lead against Richard Stockton College, before defeating the Ospreys, 5-2, in the New
Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools. Stockton, which entered as the No. 5 ranked team in the region, one behind NJCU, had allowed only five goals in its first six games of the year prior to the loss.
Acuna, the 2007 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, tallied his second multiple-goal game of the season and sixth of his career, giving him 31 career netters, tied for third in program history. At 30:18 of the first half, Acuna made it a 2-0 lead when he punched a rebounded shot inside the right post for his 30th career goal. At 60:13 of the second half, Acuna struck again as he broke through on a long drive up the far right wing, dribbled through several defenders, before rocketing home an unassisted goal from 12 yards out on the right side. It was his 94th career point.
The five goals were the most the Knights have ever scored against Stockton and the first time the Ospreys have allowed more than four goals in a game since winning the NCAA championship in 2001. It was also the most goals NJCU scored against a conference opponent since twice scoring five during the 2005 season.
Acuna is tied as the NJAC leader in goals with six, and is second only to teammate Travis Mckoy in goals per game at 0.75. In other NJAC categories, Acuna currently ranks third in points (13), fourth in points per game (1.62), tied for sixth in shots (22), and tied for eighth in shots per game (2.75).
