New Jersey City University Athletics

 

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ…For the last 31 years, Rowan University has been among the most consistent national men’s soccer powers in Division III, winning two NCAA titles and advancing to the Final Four five times. And during that stretch of 31 consecutive winning seasons, the Profs had never lost to New Jersey City University. That all changed on Saturday as the Gothic Knights turned history upside down.

 

NJCU, ranked #13 in the nation, rebounded from an early 1-0 deficit to force overtime, then snapped Rowan’s 29-game winning streak in the series when sophomore midfielder CRISTHIAN ACUNA (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) buried a penalty kick with 3:23 remaining in the second overtime, as the Gothic Knights stunned Rowan, 2-1, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.

 

NJCU (7-1-0, 2-0-0 NJAC), which has only emerged as a national power in the last half decade, wins its sixth consecutive game—one shy of matching its school record—and defeats Rowan (6-3-1, 0-2-1 NJAC) for the first time since October 14, 1975 when then-Jersey City State College edged then-Glassboro State College, 1-0 in Jersey City. Since then, the Profs have won 29 straight and were unbeaten in the last 30 games in the series, including a 2-2 tie in October 1976.

 

The Gothic Knights, ranked 13th in the latest D3Kicks.com national poll, have won19 of their last 20 home contests and are 31-4-1 in Jersey City over the last four seasons.

 

Despite a tight score, NJCU dominated the game statistically from the second period on, owning a 29-12 margin in total shots, including 18-4 in the final three periods. NJCU had a staggering 17-3 margin in corner kicks. There were a combined 49 total fouls and cautions issued in the physical affair.

 

Rowan jumped ahead to a quick 1-0 lead just 3:28 into the game. Off a punt by senior keeper Anthony Clemente (Kendall Park, NJ/South Brunswick) that was carried by strong winds blowing off of Newark Bay, senior forward Robert McMullen (Barrington, NJ/Northern Burlington) gained possession, and with NJCU junior keeper BRUCE NEVES (Newark, NJ/Hudson Catholic) off his line, lofted a high shot over his head which found a home under the crossbar, for a 1-0 lead.

 

Rowan led 1-0 at the half, and was able to maintain that lead for exactly 67 minutes, before NJCU knocked in the equalizer. Acuna, who finished the game with a goal and an assist, aired a cross from the deep right wing onto the left post, which freshman FRANK ROSENTHAL (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) struck while sliding on the left post. Before the ball could cross the line, senior forward JUAN ZUNIGA (Passaic, NJ/Passaic) stormed into the box and slammed the ball into the back of the net at JUAN ZUNIGA" src="/images/msoccer/2006/9/23/09-13-06%20Juan%20Zuniga%2011.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>70:28 for his fifth goal of the season. Acuna received credit for his fifth assist of the year and Rosenthal added his first career helper as two assists were booked on the play.

 

The two teams battled through the end of the second period and one overtime session, with NJCU failing to capitalize on several golden scoring opportunities, until a Gothic Knight breakaway set up the winner. A brilliant move at midfield by sophomore midfielder JONATHAN BILBAO (Carteret, NJ/St. Benedict’s Prep) opened a 2-on-0 breakaway against Clemente. With the breakaway entering the box, Clemente, the last line of defense, slid and took down Bilbao to stop the scoring chance. However, by rule, NJCU was awarded a penalty kick.

 

With Bilbao injured on the play, Acuna stepped up to take the penalty kick. He slowly fooled Clemente to dive towards the left post, and calmly buried a shot inside the right post. It was his fifth goal of the season and second career game-winner, and increased his penalty kick ratio to a perfect 3-for-3 this year.

 

In defeat, Clemente made five saves, and Rowan also had one team save in the second half, clearing a shot off the line. Neves made three stops for NJCU.

 

The Knights return to action on Wednesday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. with an NJAC game at Kean University in Union, NJ. Rowan plays the same night at 8 p.m. against Richard Stockton College in Pomona, NJ.