GLASSBORO, NJ…Senior midfielder Ryan Manatch (Metuchen, NJ/Metuchen) scored twice as Rowan University padded a 1-0 first half lead with two second half goals, and New Jersey City University failed to capitalize on several outstanding scoring opportunities as the Profs defeated nationally No. 16 ranked NJCU, 3-0, Saturday night in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools. Rowan only had a one-shot advantage, 18-17, overall, but NJCU was not able to find the net.
The loss for NJCU (5-2-0, 0-1-0 NJAC) ended a five-game winning streak and was only its second loss in its last 14 games dating to last season. It was NJCU’s first NJAC men’s soccer game since 2003. Rowan (3-2) has won the last 27 meetings between the clubs, since a tie in 1976, and the long-time national power has not lost to NJCU in Glassboro since 1972. Rowan leads the all-time series, 33-10-4.
The shutout loss is the first for NJCU in 14 games, dating to a 2-0 loss to a then 11th-ranked United States Merchant Marine Academy team on October 23, 2004.
NJCU’s consecutive shutout minutes streak ended at 286:56, as Manatch gave the Profs an early 1-0 lead at 3:47 of the first half. His blast from 14 yards out on the left wing was assisted by senior forward Brian Way (Ocean View, NJ/Middle Township).
Junior midfielder Michael Lodge (Willingboro, NJ/Westampton Tech) added to the Rowan lead at 55:06 of the second half, when he caused a turnover and rifled his third goal of the season in from the right wing.
NJCU had an excellent chance to shave the lead to 2-1 at 60:38. After a Rowan handball on the goal line kept a certain score out of the net, freshman forward
JUAN ESPINOZA (New Brunswick, NJ/Buen Pastor (Lima, Peru)), the Gothic Knight’s leading scorer, was awarded a penalty kick. However, his shot sailed high as Rowan escaped.
Espinoza, who led all players with six shots, including three on goal, just missed scoring 14:40 into the first half, when he missed a shot high from the left wing. He also had a beautiful header that nearly slipped inside the right post at 57:28, before a great reaching save by Rowan thwarted the chance.
Manatch capped the scoring for Rowan at 74:34, when he buried a shot from 24 yards out straight on, over NJCU’s leaping keeper, and just beneath the crossbar, for his third goal of the season. Junior midfielder Nik Golden (Crosswicks, NJ/Northern Burlington) added the assist.
NJCU’s final major scoring chance came at 81:03, when sophomore forward
MARCELO CARPIO (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) narrowly missed an open net from the right wing.
For NJCU, sophomore goalkeeper
BRUCE NEVES (Newark, NJ/Hudson Catholic) stopped five shots, but had his string of three consecutive shutouts snapped. Junior keeper
Anthony Clemente (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) made five saves for Rowan, and the Profs added one team save on the handball in the penalty area.
In a very physical game, there were 44 total fouls called, with 29 charged against the host Profs. NJCU had a 10-6 edge in corner kicks.
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, September 21 at 4pm when it hosts Kean University at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
