NEW YORK, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Freshman midfielder Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, N.J./Memorial) produced her first multi-goal collegiate game, scoring twice including the eventual game-winner as the New Jersey City University women's soccer team defeated John Jay College, 4-1, in a non-conference game on September 10 on Randall's Island.
 
NJCU won its second straight, improving to 2-1-1, as the Gothic Knights started their three-game road trip on the right foot after dominating the Bloodhounds (2-2-0) for a majority of Saturday's game. NJCU outshot the hosts, 18-6, including 12-2 in the opening half as the Knights built a 2-0 lead at the break.
 
Vargas, who produced her first three collegiate points in a win on Wednesday, bagged a brace, scoring in the 41st and 82nd minutes.  Freshman forward Liliana Ventura (West New York, N.J./Memorial) contributed two assists.
 
Sophomore forward Katherin Merino (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) scored the first goal in the 17th minute. Freshman forward Joelle Paris (Bayonne, N.J./County Prep) needed just seven minutes of reserve time to net her first NCAA goal.
 
John Jay cut NJCU's lead in half in the 56th minute when Jaime Bilotti made it a 2-1 game off a Kali Moss assist, before the Knights added an insurance tally in the 82nd minute and another in the 88th.
 
NJCU's defense allowed just five shots on goal when junior goalkeeper Paula Viana (Elizabeth, N.J./Hamilton Prep Academy) was there to stop four of them. She has limited opponents to one goal or less in three of NJCU's first four outings. Kelli Doherty (Hopewell Junction, N.Y), made seven saves for the Bloodhounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gothic Knights took control of the game from the onset as they took seven shots and earned four corners in the first 16 minutes of the game. At 16:44, Ventura accurately curled a corner kick, finding Merino, as the sophomore forward headed the ball into the left side of the net. Her second goal of the season gave the visiting side the early lead on a hot, humid day.
 
NJCU continued to press looking to double the lead. John Jay rarely found themselves in their own offensive third before halftime. Anthony Tuesta's side capitalized on another offensive chance moments before the halftime whistle. Vargas collected the ball on the left wing outside the box, dribbled around the charging Doherty, and calmly played the ball into the net. It was her second great scoring chance in the half after hitting the crossbar in the 25th minute.
 
John Jay cut NJCU's lead in half early in the second half off a set piece. Moss' corner kick connected with Bilotti inside the box. The freshman defender headed the ball perfectly, leaving Viana without any chance of keeping the ball out of the net.
 
NJCU responded on defense after the 56th minute goal by only allowing three other second-half shots and no further corner kick opportunities. The Gothic Knights continued to press high looking for their third goal on the afternoon. Senior midfielder Kaydee Murphy (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) almost scored in the 70th minute, but couldn't get a clean chance from Vargas' cross into the box.
 
However, the Gothic Knights didn't have to wait long to find the net again. Vargas' clinical footwork allowed her to find space in the box after deking her defender and she slotted the ball perfect around the goalie for her second goal on the day and third this season.
 
The unassisted 82nd minute goal was complemented by another NJCU goal six minutes later to seal the team's second straight win. Ventura collected her second assist of the game as she slotted a low cross past the keeper and found a wide open Paris in front of the box. With the goal, Paris is the fifth NJCU women's soccer player to score one of eight goals this season.
 
#QUOTABLEKNIGHTS:
Head Coach Anthony Tuesta on the team's 4-1 over John Jay College: "It was a great team effort and showed how we are connecting more as a team. This game allowed us to create many opportunities to score."
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: NJCU leads, 4-0-0 (19-2 goals differential).
• NJCU held an 8-3 advantage on corner kicks

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU continues its three-game road trip on Wednesday, September 14 when it takes on Maritime College (NY) at 5:00 p.m. in Throggs Neck, N.Y. before beginning New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Saturday, September 17 in Glassboro, N.J. when they take on Rowan University at 4:00 p.m. It will be the first meeting between NJCU and Maritime (2-3) since an 11-0 win for the Knights in Jersey City on September 16, 2008. NJCU leads the all-time series, 2-0 (17-0 goals differential).