MADISON, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Sophomore center mid Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, NJ/Memorial) cut a 2-0 deficit in half on a long free kick goal in the 64th minute but the New Jersey City University women's soccer team could not find an equalizer despite a man advantage and lost its 2017 season opener at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham, 3-1, on September 2.
 
After FDU-Florham (0-1) starting keeper Ashley Paulino was issued a straight red card at the 63:18 mark, NJCU (0-1), trailing 2-0 at halftime, cashed in as Vargas buried the set piece free kick at 63:25 from 28 yards out. It was the 14th career goal for the 2016 New Jersey Athletic Conference co-Rookie of the Year.
 
All three FDU goals were unlucky situations for the Gothic Knights. After the first two Devils' goals came on rebounds, FDU got a decisive insurance tally in the 78th minute when Tatiana Nieto intercepted a clearing and struck from 25 yards out for a 3-1 margin.
 
The Devils, who received goals in the 22nd and 31st minutes, outshot NJCU 19-12, but just by one (8-7) in the second half. However after scoring, the Gothic Knights put just one more shot on goal—an 83rd minute save by backup keeper Nicolette Roberts on Vargas.
 
FDU's Amanda Croce scored the initial goal late in the 22nd minute on the rebound of an initial shot by Danielle Matos that caromed off the post. Matos claimed the assist on the rebound. At 30:18, Nathalia Gallo's shot was stopped by NJCU transfer junior keeper Dominique Jackson (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne), but the rebound fell at the feet of Madeline Finnegan for the tap in.
 
Jackson made eight saves in her debut for NJCU. Paulino (two saves) and Roberts (one save) stopped three of the four attempts on net. Vargas had six of NJCU's 12 shots.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: FDU leads, 7-1-1.
• Second year in a row NJCU has met FDU-Florham in a season opener.
• The Knights were whistled for nearly twice as many fouls as FDU (15-8).

 
UP NEXT:

• NJCU is right back on the field on Sunday, September 3 at 4 p.m. when it hosts DeSales University at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field in Jersey City in the NJCU home opener. It will be the second-ever meeting between the schools with DeSales winning last year in Center Valley, Pa., 5-1, on September 4, 2016.

 
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