MONTCLAIR, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Junior midfielder Gabriel Luzbet (East Newark, N.J./Harrison) scored his first goal as a Gothic Knight in the 64th minute but the New Jersey City University men's soccer team dropped its second consecutive 3-1 decision, falling to Montclair State University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on October 26 in the 2016 season finale for NJCU.
 
In a homecoming of sorts for first-year head coach Joseph Cullen, a former MSU All-American, and all four of his assistant coaches—Brendan Guzman, Michael Rudden, Dan Hernandez and Thomas Benack—each among the Red Hawks' all-time greats, the Gothic Knights were seeking to upset Montclair State and knock them out of the NJAC Tournament.
 
Montclair outshot NJCU 26-7, led 2-0 at halftime and clinched the No. 5 seed in the NJAC Tournament with a 13-5-1 record (4-4-1 NJAC). After winning its first seven games of the season, the young NJCU side dropped its final nine to finish the season at 8-10-1 (0-9-0 NJAC).
 
Still, after winning once in 2015, it was a seven-win improvement for NJCU and 6.5 game total improvement, making the Gothic Knights one of the nation's most improved teams in 2016.
 
MSU, senior forward Lucas Terci had a hand in all three goals as the nation's No. 2 goal scorer netted his 23rd and 24th of the season and assisted on the eventual game-winner for a five-point effort. Senior Michael Czyrnek had his first goal of the season in the 30th minute after Terci scored on a penalty kick in the 12th. Terci had 11 total shots with seven on goal.
 
Luzbet, who played 20 reserve minutes, scored on his only shot of the game with 26:11 remaining in regulation to keep the Knights in contention. Senior midfielder Davauni Brown (Newark, N.J./Newark Tech) contributed his seventh assist to finish the season with 21 points.
 
NJCU freshman goalkeeper Adam Cassidy (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson via County Prep) made eight saves. Mike Saalfrank made two saves in 62:34 before Michael Gonzalez allowed the lone Gothic Knight tally on the only shot on goal he faced in the final 27:26.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Terci broke the scoreless tie at the 11:41 mark on a penalty kick after Matthew Gotrell was taken down inside the box on the left side. Terci stepped up and buried the kick, his fifth make of the season and a 1-0 Montclair State lead.
 
MSU had chances to extend the lead however Cassidy made a pair of saves while Gotrell hit the post. Brown got a chance to tie the game at 28:56 but his attempt was scooped up by Saalfrank.
 
Terci played the role of playmaker on the second Red Hawk goal sending a pass from the top left corner of the box over to Czyrnek, who blasted in a shot from the top for his first goal of the year and a 2-0 MSU lead with 15:33 to go before halftime. MSU outshot NJCU 14-3 in the first half.
 
In the second half, Gotrell fired a shot from close range that hit the crossbar. However the carom bounced straight down to the ground where Terci was able to tap in giving the Red Hawks a 3-1 advantage in the 58^th minute. Gotrell earned an assist on the rebound.
 
NJCU got one goal back just over four minutes later. Brown sent a ball from midfield down to the top of the box. Luzbet was able to run on to it and off one bounce, popped it over the head of the keeper for his first of the season.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 63rd meeting. Montclair lead the all-time series, 49-11-3, and has won the last seven meetings.
• In a statistical oddity, NJCU finished the year scoring 40 goals on 32 assists for 112 points; its opponents also scored 40 goals on 32 assists.
• Terci tied the MSU career mark for goals as he upped his season total to 24, just one behind the record of 25 set by John Ioannu in 1983. He tied the career mark held by Erik Neubart, who scored 59 goals from 1991-94.