New Jersey City University Athletics

 

 

PATCHOGUE, NY…New Jersey City University outshot St. Joseph’s College, 28-6, including 20-4 in the second half, as the Gothic Knights, ranked #11 in Division III, remained unbeaten in 11 consecutive games, blanking the Golden Eagles, 2-0, in a non-conference game at Gregg Alfano Field.

 

NJCU, ranked No. 11 nationally by D3Kicks.com and tied for 17^th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, improves to 11-1-1 overall. The Gothic Knights extended their school-record unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive games, last losing in Hoboken, NJ on September 3 when nationally ranked Stevens Institute of Technology rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to prevail 3-2. Since then, the Knights have not been defeated, and only have a 1-1 tie at Kean on September 27 against their record.

 

With the loss, St. Joseph’s falls to 6-7-0 overall. The Knights lead the all-time series, 4-1-1. NJCU had a 15-4 margin in corner kicks, including a 10-0 differential in the second half.

 

Sophomore forward JAMEL CARSON (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) and freshman forward FRANK ROSENTHAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) each scored for NJCU, while senior stopper #RONNIE JAMEL CARSON" src="/images/msoccer/2006/10/7/09-10-06%20Jamel%20Carson%201.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>SANCHEZ# (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) contributed two assists, giving him three on the season.

 

Junior goalkeeper BRUCE NEVES (Newark, NJ/Hudson Catholic) made one save to record his 11^th

career shutout and his fourth of the season, while winning his 28^th career game—one shy of matching Jeff East for second in program history.

 

The shutout was NJCU’s sixth of the season and the 150^th by an NJCU men’s soccer team since the record began being tracked in 1974. It was the sixth time this season the NJCU defense has limited an opponent to two or less shots on goal and the 11th time in 13 games that total has been five or fewer.

 

Overall, 73 of the 150 shutouts have come during the nine-year tenure of head coach KEVIN EAST, who has coached 188 total games. The Knights have recorded shutouts in 39 percent of all games played during East’s career.

 

A lackluster first half saw NJCU own an 8-2 margin in shots, but neither team had a dangerous chance and the game was scoreless at the intermission.

 

But NJCU came out in the second half and demonstrated the ball control that has guided it to 11 wins in 13 games. The Knights attempted 20 shots in the period.

 

NJCU took the lead for good at 68:47 of the second half. After SJC committed one of 28 fouls it was

whistled for in the game—there were a combined 43 between the schools—Sanchez lofted a free kick into the box from just inside midfield. Carson timed the play perfectly, heading a shot into the right corner for his third goal of the season and first game-winner.

 

Rosenthal provided an insurance goal for the Knights at 77:08. Sanchez won a ball from the Eagles, and chipped a pass over several SJC defenders and into the box, to create a 1-on-0 against the home keeper. Rosenthal was there, received the pass on a run, and in one motion tapped a shot inside the right post for his fourth goal of the year.

 

SJC thwarted three solid NJCU chances with team saves, as the defenders blocked shots on the line that were heading in. Senior keeper Mark Tripi (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) played the first 72:12, making five saves against one goal. Sophomore Mike Dougherty (Ronkonkoma, NY/Connetquot) played the final 17:48 in net, stopping two shots, while allowing the second goal.

 

NJCU will return to Long Island on Monday, October 9 at 3 p.m. to play a non-conference game against Farmingdale State University in Farmingdale, NY.