New Jersey City University Athletics

 

WILLOWBROOK, NY…The College of Staten Island held a slim 9-8 advantage in total shots, but was more accurate on their attempts, as the Dolphins defeated New Jersey City University, 4-0, in a non-conference women’s soccer game at the CSI Soccer Complex.

 

Staten Island improves to 5-4-1 overall with their fourth win in five games, while NJCU drops to 3-9-0. The Gothic Knights have not scored in their losses this season. The win was CSI’s first ever against NJCU in women’s soccer; the Knights still lead the series, 2-1.

 

Staten Island led 1-0 at the half, outshooting the Knights, 6-1 in the second period. NJCU had the upper-hand on second half shots, 7-3, but the Dolphins scored on each of their three opportunities.

Shannon Connelly (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by the Sea) scored the eventual game-winner at 26:07 of the first period off an assist from senior forward Daniella Otaiza (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville). Otaiza also scored the fourth goal of the game at 67:12 of the second period, finishing with three points.

 

CSI’s final three goals in the second half were unassisted. Sophomore forward Fiosa Begai (Staten Island, NY/Susan Wagner) made it 2-0 at 54:40, while freshman forward Tina Chechel (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph by the Sea) tallied the third goal on a penalty kick at 64:51.

 

Junior midfielder KATIE FEEHAN (Manasquan, NJ/Wall) had four of NJCU’s eight shots, while senior midfielder REEM HANA (Iselin, NJ/JFK Memorial) attempted three more.

 

In defeat, NJCU junior keeper ALEXIS CHISARI (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) made two saves. Sophomore keeper Tina Bellocchio (Staten Island, NY/St. John Villa) recorded four saves to preserve the shutout.

 

NJCU will return to action with its third straight road contest on Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. when it visits Rutgers-Newark for a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest in Newark, NJ.