JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University and Ramapo College battled for more than 98 minutes in a see-saw New Jersey Athletic Conference men's soccer game and each team had multiple opportunities late in the contest before the Roadrunners tucked away the rebound of saved shot with 1:45 remaining in the first overtime period in a 4-3 classic on October 14 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
 

NJCU trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2, but each time Ramapo (7-6-2, 1-4-1 NJAC) went ahead in regulation, the Gothic Knights (1-12, 0-6 NJAC) answered as junior back Davauni Brown (Newark, NJ/Newark Tech), senior forward Tyler Krychkowski (North Arlington, NJ/North Arlington) and sophomore forward Benedict Adundo (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) each produced game-tying goals.
 
After Ramapo scored its third goal on a penalty kick in the 71st minute, Krychkowski had a chance to put the Knights on top in the 86th but RCNJ sophomore keeper Ryan Sprague (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) made a diving save towards the far right post to keep the Roadrunners alive and send the game to overtime after a second half in which NJCU unleashed an 18-6 differential in shots.
 
NJCU freshman goalkeeper John Riggs (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville), who made six saves, stopped four shots in the extra session including two highlights—a 92nd minute leaping grab at the crossbar of a header by freshman forward Ryan Campbell (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) and a spectacular point blank stop inside the penalty mark of a 1-on-1 with junior back Nick Brancato (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) in the 97th.
 
But Ramapo would prevail at 98:15. Campbell, who scored his ninth goal of the season in the first half, earned the assist on the game-winner. His shot from the near right wing was saved by Riggs but the rebound caromed across the box inside the six where sophomore forward Justin Olaya (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) was able to settle the bouncing ball on the near left post and tucked the winning shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
 
It was a heart-breaking finish for an NJCU squad which had been shutout in its previous four games, but saw its offense come alive with its second highest goal output in a game this season.
 
Ramapo took an initial lead 5:48 into the game when the home defense tried to clear a corner kick but the ball ended up on the feet of freshman forward Edward Franzoni (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan), who uncorked a shot into the near upper left 90 for his second goal of the season.
 
Brown, who netted his first goal of the season and finished with three points, got the equalizer in the 13th minute. After a ball skipped across the box near the top of the 18, he unleashed a shot into the far left side netting beyond the reach of a diving Sprague.
 
Campbell would give the visitors a 2-1 lead which stood at halftime when he dribbled in, beat two defenders and directed a shot into the near left side netting. The play was set up by an assist from freshman midfielder Jorge Castro (Harrison, NJ/Harrison). RCNJ outshot the Knights, 9-2, in the first 45 minutes.
 
NJCU would even it again in the 62nd minute. Brown, who registered his fourth assist, threaded a thru ball from the midfield circle to Krychkowski who perfectly timed a breakaway run into the box and finished a 1-on-1 opportunity

into the right side from 12 yards out for his third goal of the season.
 
Ramapo went back in front again in the 71st minute. Riggs was called for a foul trying to cover up a ball, Castro was awarded a penalty kick, and finished his third of the season into the high left side.
 
After two NJCU chances to tie it were blocked in the 75th minute, Adundo cashed in on his first NCAA goal at 77:03. His first shot from the near right endline was saved by Sprague. But Adundo gathered his own rebound, spun to his right and tucked a ball across the six and into the near left side netting for a 3-3 deadlock.
 
Campbell had a game-high eight saves for RCNJ with four on goal, including a 1-on-1 chance in the sixth minute that Riggs set aside, and Olaya added four shots. Brown attempted five shots and had a good opportunity in the 83rd minute blocked on the near post and skip over the crossbar. Freshman midfielder Theo Sanoh (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) collected Ramapo.
 
OF NOTE:

• Ramapo leads the all-time series, 20-19-5, and has won the last three meetings.

• NJCU was playing its third overtime game of the season (0-3); all were decided in the first overtime.
• It was the 128th overtime game in program history (26-31-71).

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU plays its final non-conference game of the season on Saturday, October 17 at 3 p.m. when it visits Skyline Conference member College of Mount Saint Vincent (7-6-2) in Riverdale, NY..