New Jersey City University Athletics

MAHWAH, NJ…Senior forward CRISTHIAN ACUNA (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) scored his eighth goal of the season in the 68^th minute before Ramapo College evened the game with 7:09 remaining in regulation, and the two clubs combined for just two shots in 20 minutes of overtime as nationally #24 ranked New Jersey City University and the Roadrunners played to a 1-1 double-overtime tie, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest on Wednesday on Ramapo's turf field.

NJCU, ranked third in the NCAA Division III Metro Region and 24^th nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, remained unbeaten in its last eight games, improving to 6-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the NJAC. The Knights have not been defeated since August 30. It is the fourth time in the 50-year history of the program that NJCU has been unbeaten in at least eight straight games.

Ramapo is 5-5-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the league following the tie. NJCU leads the all-time series, 17-15-5, and is 8-1-1 against the Roadrunners since 2000. The Gothic Knights are unbeaten in their last six games against RCNJ. 

It was the 104^th overtime game NJCU has played in its history and second this season. The Knights are 22-23-59 all-time in games that extend past regulation.

After a scoreless first half, Acuna, who recorded his 33^rd career goal and 98^th point—two shy of becoming NJCU's second career 100-point player—put the Knights ahead at 67:56 with his eighth goal of the year. Senior midfielder EDISON BILBAO (Carteret, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) slipped a pass to Acuna, the 2007 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, on a give-and-go play, before he ripped home a shot for the 1-0 lead. The assist for Bilbao­—his third of the year—gives him 28 for his career and his 74^th career point, as he moved into a tie for fifth place in school history.

However, RCNJ, which had only three shots in the final 65 minutes of action, evened the game at 82:51 as sophomore transfer Jonathan Henriques (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) headed in his third goal of the season off a cross from the right side from senior midfielder Pedro Martinez (Harrison, NJ/Harrison).

Ramapo senior keeper Mike Jull (Millville, NJ/Millville) made eight saves in the game, including one on Acuna in the first overtime. The end of the game was played in the rain, and when Henriques received his second yellow of the game, the Roadrunners played the final 1:10 a man down.

Sophomore keeper ANDRE VIOLA (Clifton, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional (Montvale)) made three saves for NJCU in the first half, before junior SHAWN McCORMICK (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick), making his third-ever collegiate appearance in goal, replaced him at halftime, allowing one goal. NJCU also had a team save. 

The Gothic Knights had an 18-10 advantage in shots and 7-2 on corners in a physical game during which 43 fouls were whistled and seven cards issued.

NJCU is back in action on Saturday, October 4 at 1 p.m. when it visits The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ.