JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Stockton University had 10 consecutive shots in the first half when it built a 2-0 lead and held off a second half attack to defeat the New Jersey City University men's soccer team, 3-1, in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on October 22 in the rain and wind at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
 
Prior to the game, NJCU honored its four-man senior class—former All-NJAC back Gabriel Freitas (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) and midfielders Juan Arango (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield),  Davauni Brown (Newark, N.J./Newark Tech) and Kevin Cavalcanti (Teaneck, N.J./Paramus Catholic).

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Sophomore forward Omar Ventura (Fairview, N.J./Cliffside Park) scored his 11th goal of the season on a screaming free kick in the 60th minute but NJCU was unable to rally from a 3-0 deficit. Brown had four shots to lead NJCU.
 
Senior forward Anthony Colofranson (Woodbury Heights, N.J./Gateway) had a five-point day, assisting on the Ospreys' first goal before chalking up his sixth and seventh goals of the season. He had seven of Stockton's 16 shots, putting five on goal, as the guests outshot NJCU 16-7.
 
NJCU freshman goalkeeper Adam Cassidy (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson via County Prep) made eight saves to keep the Knights close. Freshman keeper Michael Lescano (Union, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) had one save for the Ospreys.
 
Senior back Erik Kretschmer (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) and freshman back Kelly Blidi (Trenton, N.J./Trenton Catholic) picked up the single assists on the two goals by Colofranson.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After NJCU's first shot in the fifth minute when freshman back Ryan Farrell (South River, N.J./South River) had a diving header off a free kick just over the crossbar, Stockton followed with numerous chances the rest of the first half.
 
In the 12th minute, Colofranson had a leaping header over the charging keeper carom just wide left. In the 16th minute he had another opportunity on a 1-on-1 chance after a long ball played from the back but Cassidy made a lunging save.
 
In the 27th minute, sophomore midfielder Dan Marino (Turnersville, N.J/Washington Township) had a point-blank shot at the six off a cross from the right. Cassidy made a brilliant reaction save, tipping the ball up and off the crossbar before the Gothic Knight defense cleared it. In the 30th minute off a corner, Colofranson had another golden opportunity but his shot at the near post was set aside by a diving Cassidy. He stopped another header by freshman forward Christian Bik (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep).
 
But with 11:39 left in the first half, Colofranson claimed a defensive giveaway on the right side that set up a 2-on-1 for Stockton. He played the ball to the top of the 18 to junior forward Nick Cristea (Medford, N.J./Shawnee). Cassidy came out to slide and attempt to break up the play but Cristea was able to sidestep him and roll a shot into the goal before an NJCU defender could clear it  His fourth goal of the year made it 1-0.
 
In the 36th minute, Colofranson had another free kick that skimmed off the wet turf. Cassidy couldn't handle it cleanly but dove on top of it before Stockton could follow the rebound.
 
After Colofranson had a line-drive shot over the goal (ninth Stockton shot) he cashed in with his sixth goal of the season with exactly six minutes remaining in the period. With Stockton attacking after a corner, Kretschmer had a shot deflect off the face of an NJCU defender back inside the six. Cassidy could not change direction in time to cover it and Colofranson was there to knock it into the open goal.
 
Stockton had 10 of the first 11 shots of the game and led 2-0 at halftime before it went ahead 3-0 in the 51st minute.
 
With 39:49 left, Blidi had a long free kick from midfield to the far left post and Colofranson turned with a side volley, punching the unsaveable ball across the goal into the near side netting.
 
NJCU got on the board in the 60th minute. After a handball with 30:54, Ventura was awarded a free kick and unleashed a 30-yard laser beam into the upper left near corner.
 
A header by freshman forward Justin Ruiz (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) off a cross from the left was saved by Cassidy who was well-positioned in front. Brown missed just high in the 63rd minute in the middle of the box.
 
With 17:49 left Campos slid a pass to Brown whose far post shot was stopped by Lescano with a sliding stop, to keep the game a 3-1 advantage and NJCU was limited to just two shots the rest of the game.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 44th meeting. Stockton leads, 31-7-6, and has won the last two meetings.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU will conclude its 2016 season on Wednesday, October 26 at 7 p.m. when it visits Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. It will be a homecoming for first-year head coach Joseph Cullen, a former MSU All-American, and all four assistant coaches—Brendan Guzman, Michael Rudden, Dan Hernandez and Thomas Benack—each among the Red Hawks' all-time greats.