Box Score STATEN ISLAND, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Nearly a year after an epileptic seizure ended her 2013 season before it had a chance to really begin, the 2014 comeback story of New Jersey City University junior midfielder and co-captain Amanda Filippone (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley) featured a well-written monologue and an exciting first act.
 
Filippone scored twice and had a hand in all three goals as the Gothic Knights opened their 22^nd season of competition on August 30 with a 3-0 triumph over John Jay College in the first round of the College of Staten Island (CSI) Soccer Fall Classic.
 
READ: Soccer Sets Her Free feature
 
After winning just one game and scoring three times all of last year, NJCU (1-0-0) equaled the 2013 scoring total in one afternoon as it dominated the Bloodhounds (0-1-0), outshooting the opposition by a staggering 26-6 count including a 17-4 margin in shots on goal.
 
"Today was a big day," Filippone admitted. "I couldn't wait to step back on the field and play the sport I love. Whenever I step on the field, all my problems go away. The goals today were an amazing feeling. I have worked so hard to make this comeback real, but I couldn't have done this without the support from my amazing family, friends, the school and most importantly NJCU women's soccer. These girls always have my back and support me 100 percent."
 "It feels good to be back. It's a huge relief off my shoulders and I just felt like I owed my girls a lot after being on the sidelines all last season."
 
Filippone's comeback happened quickly in the second minute. After a hand ball in the box, NJCU was awarded an indirect kick. Freshman forward Lauren Bustamante (Rockaway, NJ/Butler) made a quick touch pass to Filippone who drilled a shot from eight yards out for a 1-0 lead which stood until halftime. Bustamante's assist was her first collegiate point.
 
In the 54^th minute Filippone uncorked a free kick into the Bloodhound box. Two defenders went up to try to clear it and redirected it into the net. The momentum of Filippone's shot influenced what ultimately was recorded as an own goal.
 
Less than a minute later, Filippone put the game away, burying a penalty kick late in the 56^th minute that was awarded after junior forward Orphise Saint Jean (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) was pulled down in the box.
 
Defensively, senior Brittany Hoffman (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) made three first half saves before junior Cassie Lubonski (Edison, NJ/Edison) came on to make one second half stop in the combined shutout effort.
 
Second-year head coach Michael Vivino praised the effort of his courageous midfielder. "Amanda created some chances and was all over field. She did everything you could ask for as an attacking center mid. Anyone who has been through what she's been through deserves a positive result today. She deserves it. That's the kind of kid she is. She worked so hard to get back in shape after all the things she went through and is getting comfortable on the field. It was a nice showing from a captain."
 
Meanwhile, Vivino also praised two other midfielders—junior Kaydee Murphy (Bayonne, NJ/Holy Family Academy) and freshman Alicia Umanzor (Morristown, NJ/Morristown).
 
"Murphy played fantastic in the middle. She was excellent today. Alicia Umanzor had a great debut on the left outside mid. The two of them played very well."
 
"The new players we brought in were all active in some way today—even those banged up in the preseason. Everyone adapted and acclimated to what we're doing and it's nice to see young players hit the ground running. It's tough for a freshman to come in and play 90 minutes. They did it very well and I'm definitely happy."
 
On day two of the tournament on August 31, NJCU faces host Staten Island at 4 p.m.