New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE

MADISON, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | In the 2011 season opener for both schools, Drew University scored seven goals on 20 shots and defeated New Jersey City University, 7-2, in the opening round of the Drew Fall Festival on Saturday at Ranger Stadium. It was the first-ever meeting between the two Garden State foes.
 
Drew (1-0) only outshot NJCU (0-1) by four shots, 20-16, and each team had nine shots in the second period, but the Rangers were able to cash in on their opportunities. The final 80 minutes of the contest was played 10-on-10 after each side received a red card early in the 11^th minute.
 
NJCU's two goals were scored by senior forward ALEX CERON (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) and senior midfielder DIEGO PORTILLO (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne). Senior forward WALTER AVANS (Roselle Park, NJ/Union Catholic) and freshman forward JONNATHAN VELOZ (Newark, NJ/East Side) each had an assist for the Knights.
 
Drew jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with two goals in a span of 1:59 in the first 8:08 of action. Sophomore forward Matthew Gragnano (Hazlet, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) made it 1-0 at 6:09 off a centering pass from sophomore defender R.J. Voorman (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo).  Junior midfielder Kevin Walpole (Newark, DE) netted a cross from sophomore midfielder Ricardo Castro (Mexicali, Mexico) at 8:08.
 
Drew, which led 4-0 at halftime, added a header goal from freshman defender Michael Pezzuti (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex Regional) off a corner kick from Roman Jablonskyj (Long Valley, NJ/Gill St. Bernards) at 23:39. At the 30:52 mark, sophomore midfielder Will Sanchez (Bound Brook, NJ/Bound Brook) netted a cross from junior forward Mike Jacques (Princeton Junction, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro North) for a 4-0 margin. Sophomore midfielder Kevin Veliz (Plainfield, NJ/Plainfield) scored 1:39 into the second half on an unassisted goal for a 5-0 edge.
 
Ceron put NJCU on the board at the 64:44 mark of the second half, ripping a shot into the upper right corner from 18 yards off a feed from Avans. The Knights drew within 5-2 at 78:10 as Portillo knocked in the rebound of a shot by Veloz.
 
But Drew countered with two goals in the next 2:02, both markers coming in a span of 65 seconds. Junior defender Tom Quirk (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) scored at 79:07 before sophomore forward Craig Wagenblast (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) added the final goal at 80:12 with an assist from freshman defender Max Dolphin (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township).
 
Drew junior Rich Boland (North Kingston, RI) made seven saves for the win. NJCU senior keeper MANNY LOJO (Clark, NJ/Union Catholic) set aside eight shots in defeat.
 
NJCU will face Medgar Evers College on Sunday, September 4 at 2 p.m. in the second round of the tournament. Curry College (MA) downed the Cougars, 5-1, in the other opening round contest.