New Jersey City University Athletics

 

 

 

CRISTHIAN ACUNA" src="/images/msoccer/2007/9/23/09-16-07%20Cristhian%20Acuna%207.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>With the win, NJCU improves to 7-2-0 overall and 3-0-0 in the NJAC. Combined with losses by Kean University and Montclair State University on Saturday, the Gothic Knights are in sole possession of first place in the conference, and have opened a season with a 3-0-0 record in the league for the first time since 1964—the only other time in the 49-year history of the program that NJCU has opened the NJAC slate with a 3-0 mark.

 

NJCU extended its 2007 winning streak to four, and has won seven of eight games since dropping the season opener. It was NJCU’s third consecutive victory over Rowan overall, having defeated the Profs at home during the 2006 regular season and conference quarterfinal round. The loss for Rowan is its third straight and the long-time national power dropped to 4-4-0 overall and 0-3 in the league.

 

Acuna, who now has 16 points in his last four games, increased his career totals to 21 goals, 28 assists and 70 points. He needs three more assists to equal NJCU’s all-time record, and moved into 10^th place in school history in goals. He netted his fifth career game-winning goal in the victory.

 

NJCU opened the scoring at 25:47 when sophomore midfielder JOHN BERNAL (Paterson, NJ/Inem (Medellin, Colombia)) tracked down a loose ball rebound near the left post and headed in his second goal of the season; it was unassisted.

 

Just 1:52 later, Rowan evened the game at 1-1, when freshman defender Randall Kohr (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City) knocked in the first goal of his career. The goal at 27:41 was set-up by a corner kick from junior forward Jay Vigilante (Manasquan, NJ/Wall) and a header by sophomore midfielder Michael Pascale (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South). Each player received an assist. The game stood at 1-1 at the half, with NJCU owning a slim 8-5 shots advantage.

 

Just over three minutes into the second half, Rowan moved in front, 2-1, when senior midfielder Peter Malkmus (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) redirected a pass from junior defender Scott Brody (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) for his third tally of the season, at 48:21.

 

But midway through the second half, the explosive NJCU offense which currently ranks fourth in the nation in scoring, showed just why, collecting two game-changing goals in a span of 1:43.

 

At 64:40, Acuna slipped a pass onto the left wing where Carpio juked the opposing keeper and buried a shot on a tough angle inside the left post from 15 yards out. It was his sixth goal of the season.

 

MARCELO CARPIO" src="/images/msoccer/2007/9/23/09-05-07%20Marcelo%20Carpio%2012.jpg" width=150 align=left border=0>

 

NJCU, which outshot Rowan 15-11, was able to prevent any threats by the Profs defense over the final 23:37 of the game.

 

Freshman keeper ANDRE VIOLA (Clifton, NJ/St. Joseph’s Regional (Montvale)) made six saves for the NJCU win. Senior keeper Kevin Nuss (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) made three first half saves in 45:00 and Cunliffe stopped four shots in the second half. Rowan also had one team save.

 

NJCU will host Kean University on Wednesday, September 26 at 4 p.m. with a chance to improve to 4-0 in the league for the first time in history. NJCU is 3-0-1 against the Cougars since 2003.