MAHWAH, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | For the second time this week, the New Jersey City University men's soccer team was on the short side of a result against an unbeaten and untied opponent. Ramapo College (6-0-0, 1-0-0 NJAC) broke open a scoreless game with two goals in eight minutes in the second half and edged NJCU (3-2-0, 0-1-0 NJAC), 2-0, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both schools played September 15 at the Ramapo Athletic Center.
 
Ramapo had a clear possession advantage, outshooting NJCU 17-4, including 7-1 in the second half, but the play of sophomore goalkeeper Eric Lopes Silva (Newark, NJ/Newark East Side) (seven saves) kept the Gothic Knights in the game.
 
RCNJ, which has allowed just one goal all season, registered its fifth consecutive shutout win and ran its scoreless minutes streak to 498:28. Ramapo has outscored opponents 17-1 to this season.
 
Ten of those 17 goals have come from junior 6-foot-7 forward Joseph Fala (Cape May Court House, N.J.), and he continued his early-season tear, putting the hosts ahead early in the 56th minute off an assist from senior forward Guilherme DeNovaes (Long Branch, N.J.), who notched two assists in the game.
 
Just 8:24 later, DeNovaes set up senior midfielder Jorge Castro (Harrison, N.J.) who made it 2-0 midway through the 64th minute.
 
Three of NJCU's four shots were on target, forcing Ramapo sophomore keeper Joshua Schaffer (Ringwood, N.J.) to make three saves to preserve the shutout win. Ramapo had all six corner kicks in the game.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 47th meeting; Ramapo leads, 23-19-5 (won last six matchups).

 
UP NEXT:

• NJCU returns to non-conference action on Monday, September 17 when it visits Medgar Evers College at 7:30 p.m. in Brooklyn, N.Y.

 
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