JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The College of Staten Island went ahead on an own goal 74 seconds into the game and didn't score again until the final minutes of the opening half. But despite that early defensive effort by the New Jersey City University men's soccer team, the high-scoring Dolphins pulled away in the second half, 6-0, on October 22 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
 
Staten Island improved to 14-4 overall behind an offense that entered the day ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division III in total goals and fifth nationally in scoring offense, pushing its season scoring total to 73 tallies. NJCU fell to 6-10-0 in its final non-conference game of the season.
 
NJCU only trailed 2-0 at halftime thanks to the stellar play of sophomore goalkeeper Aldahir Cazun (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson), who kept it close with a season-high 12 saves before being relieved after 72:22.
 
After the second minute own goal on a carom off a CSI throw, Dolphin sophomore forward Bryant Navarro (Queens, N.Y.) helped the guests pull away. Entering the day ranked No. 11 in Division III in total goals, he added his 16th and 17th of the season—first putting away his own rebound early in the 41st minute, then benefitting from a defensive giveaway that led to a 1-on-1 in the 54th frame. Both goals were unassisted.
 
Junior midfielder Philip Lefkowitz (Staten Island, N.Y.), who entered the game ranked second in the country in total assists (15) and first in the country in assists per game (1.00), did not have a helper in the game, but he did net his 12th goal of the year late in the 58th minute on a free kick, to make it 4-0.
 
Staten Island cemented the win with strikes in the 81st and 90th minutes. Freshman mid Jhair Larrea (Corona, N.Y.) netted his third of the year from sophomore mid Breny Salas (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore back Nick Aletto (Boca Raton, Fla.) got his first of the year on a ball slipped through by junior mid Chris Li (Queens, NY.).
 
Sophomores Oscar Torres (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Jake Foeldes (South Brunswick, N.J.) split the action, each making a save in 45 minutes to preserve CSI's ninth shutout in 18 games and second in a row.
 
Rookie forward Edric De Paula (Newark, NJ/Newark Tech) had a team-high five shots for NJCU, which had 12 total shots in the game. CSI put 18 of its 29 shots on goal. Navarro had a game-high 12 shots, with seven on target. Carlos Montesinos (six shots) and Lefkowitz (five shots) were also active.
 
OF NOTE:

• 'Bayonne Bridge Series' record: 33rd meeting; NJCU leads, 19-11-3.
• Cazun reached double figures in saves for the second time this season and third in his career. He had a career-high 13 at Rowan on September 16, 2017 and 10 saves at Montclair State on October 9.

 
UP NEXT:

• NJCU plays its final game of the season on Wednesday, October 24 at 3:30 p.m. when it hosts Rutgers-Newark in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at home. Prior to the game, NJCU will honor senior forward Theo Sanoh (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) and senior back Edwin Carbajal (Rahway, NJ/Rahway) on Senior Day 2018.

 
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