New Jersey City University Athletics

BOX SCORE

JERSEY CITY, NJ…In a battle between two of the top three teams in the NCAA Division III Metro Region, #23 New Jersey City University outshot #15 William Paterson University, 42-7, but hit the post or crossbar four times and had 12 more shots blocked, and the Pioneers only two shots on goal found the back of the net, as WPU defeated NJCU, 2-1, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Wednesday at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.

The loss by NJCU (9-3-2, 3-1-1 NJAC), ranked 23^rd nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and third in the region, snaps an 11-game unbeaten streak and is the first for the Gothic Knights since August 30. All three of NJCU's losses this year have been by one goal. WPU, 15^th by the NSCAA and #2 in the region poll, improves to 11-2-1 and 5-0-1 NJAC. The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 28-19-4. NJCU had been 6-1-1 against the Pioneers since 2000 prior to the contest.

WPU was led by the play of junior goalkeeper Dan Peragallo (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick), who made 14 saves. The Pioneers had one key team save.

Sophomore forward Julian Valerio (Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) assisted on the first goal of the game in the 11^th minute before tallying the eventual game-winner late in the 60^th minute. WPU sophomore midfielder Ambrogio Pipitone (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) assisted on the winner after he scored the initial goal.

NJCU got the game-tying goal in the 53^rd minute from junior midfielder AWAL AHMED (Elizabeth, NJ/Linden) off an assist from senior midfielder CRISTHIAN ACUNA (East Newark, NJ/Harrison).

The first sign of what was to come was at 8:53 whensophomore forward TRAVIS MCKOY (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) hit a header that glanced off the crossbar from just in front of the net.

The Pioneers capitalized on their second shot of the game. Valerio, who contributed his 14^th assist, dished a long thru ball up the middle to Pipitone. NJCU sophomore keeper ANDRE VIOLA (Clifton, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional (Montvale) came all the way to the top of the box with a defender to try to cut the play off. However, Pipitone deeked both players, dribbled into the right of the box, and slipped an uncontested goal home at 10:32. It was his fourth tally of the year.

Two more times in the first half, NJCU hit the post as Acuna struck the right pipe at 11:47 and senior center midfielder JONATHAN BILBAO (Carteret, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) had his header at 16:06 also draw iron. 

Peragallo made a great save on a sliding Acuna at 19:12 to preserve the lead, and despite being outshot 16-3 in the period, WPU led 1-0 at the half.

The Knights put up 10 shots in the first 7:44 of the second half before finally cashing in. Acuna drilled a shot from just outside the right post that was blocked by a defender, before the rebound caromed directly to Ahmed who pounded home his second goal of the year at 52:44. The assist was the 35^th of Acuna's career and fourth of the year.

But just over seven minutes later, the Pioneers scored the eventual game-winner. Pipitone lofted a low line drive from the right sideline into the box. An NJCU defender leaped to kick it away, but missed and Valerio collected the pass before firing it in from the left wing for his ninth goal. The assist was Pipitone's first.

NJCU appeared to have the game tied at 77:38 when Mckoy hit an off-balance header over a leaping Peragallo. But the ball hung on the ground long enough for sophomore midfielder Ryan Miller (Colonia, NJ/Colonia) to race in and clear the ball off the line at the last possible moment for a team save.

Peragallo made another great diving save near the left post at 84:52 to stop an Acuna shot that was heading in. In one of NJCU's final great opportunities, freshman midfielder ALEX CERON (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) had a header at 89:05 which looked like it would sneak under the crossbar. But leaning back, Peragallo tipped it up and off the bar at the very last moment. Seconds later (89:33), Peragallo made another great save on the left post off a hard shot by JONATHAN BILBAO to preserve the win, as NJCU did not quit.

In defeat, five NJCU players had at least five shots, led by Mckoy who had as many shots as the entire WPU team—seven. Senior center midfielder EDISON BILBAO (Carteret, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) had six shots, while Acuna, JONATHAN BILBAO and Ahmed each had five. Viola did not make a save.

NJCU looks to bounce back on Saturday, October 18 at 1 p.m. when it hosts Rowan University in an NJAC game. WPU will host The College of New Jersey at the same time.