New Jersey City University Athletics

 

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY…Senior midfielder JOHAN GONZALEZ (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) gave nationally No. 16 ranked New Jersey City University a 1-0 lead just 14:19 into the first half and sophomore goalkeeper BRUCE NEVES (Newark, NJ/Hudson Catholic) stopped five shots to record his third consecutive shutout as the Gothic Knights registered the 299^th victory in program history with a 3-0 victory over previously-unbeaten Vassar College at Prentiss Field.

              

The Knights (5-1-0), ranked No. 2 in the Metro Region, won their fifth consecutive game and 12^th in 13 contests dating to 2004, despite playing 49:08 of the match one-man down, after senior forward CHRIS ROSENTHAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) received a red card in the final minutes of the first half.

 

Still, NJCU evened the all-time series, which began in 2004, at 1-1-0, as Vassar falls to 2-1-0. NJCU outshot the Brewers, 13-11 in a defensive-minded battle, including 9-4 in the first half. Vassar had the second-half advantage, 7-4. There were a combined six yellow cards issued and 33 fouls in the game.

              

Neves is 5-0-0 overall and has allowed just two goals in 450:00 of action this season. Meanwhile, NJCU has not allowed a goal in its last 283:09.

              

Gonzalez scored his first goal of the season when his shot from the top of the box found a home in JULIO GARCIA" src="/images/msoccer/2005/9/14/11-06-04%20Julio%20Garcia%204.jpg" width=150 align=right border=0>the lower right corner of the net at 14:19.

              

Despite being a man down, it was NJCU who added to its lead with two second half goals. Sophomore forward JULIO GARCIA (West New York, NJ/Memorial) notched his third goal of the season at 57:30 off a thru ball up the middle that he buried beneath a diving goalkeeper. Freshman midfielder JONATHAN BILBAO (Newark, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) tallied his first career assist.

              

CHRIS PALUMBO" src="/images/msoccer/2005/9/14/11-06-04%20Chris%20Palumbo%207.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>Junior midfielder CHRIS PALUMBO (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) capped the scoring at 75:07, when he banged home the rebound of an initial shot by sophomore midfielder JOHN JENSEN (Monroe Township, NJ/Monroe Township). It was Palumbo’s first goal of the season and Jensen’s second assist.

              

Freshman keeper Zach Wasserman (Boca Raton, FL/Pine Crest) stopped two shots in his first collegiate start for the Brewers.

 

NJCU opens the New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule on Saturday, September 17 at 7pm against Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, as the Knights will be seeking a milestone 300^th win, and their first over Rowan in Glassboro since October 17, 1972. The Profs have won the last 27 meetings between the clubs, since a tie in 1976, and a Jersey City victory in 1975.