JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | For the third consecutive season, all under third-year head coach Joe Cullen, the Gothic Knight men's soccer team (2-0-0) has started off their season with a pair of shutout wins. Rookie forward Edric De Paula (Newark, NJ/Newark Tech) netted the first goal of his collegiate career in the 14th minute as the New Jersey City University men's soccer team topped the Hunter College Hawks (1-1-0) in a tightly-contested 1-0 game on September 2 at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
 
Sophomore center back Mike Almeida (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) enjoyed a complete day; he chalked up an assist on the game-winning goal, broke up a bid to tie the game by Hunter that resulted in an opposing hand ball, headed away another shot for a second-half team save and logged a full 90 minutes in the back to lead the NJCU defense. Senior forward Theo Sanoh (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) also assisted on the winner and now has seven points in two games.
 
The two teams were feeling each other out to start the match, with no serious threats until a Hawks' free kick from a dangerous area in the 13^th minute. NJCU sophomore keeper Eric Lopes Silva (Newark, NJ/Newark East Side) was aggressive and up to the task, setting a theme for the day. He finished with two saves and broke up numerous other opportunities with his quickness and aggressive style.
 
The NJCU press started forcing some Hunter turnovers, and in the 14^th minute, the Knights got the goal they were looking for. Almeida, the team captain, sent a long ball ahead into the box and Sanoh got enough of a touch in the scrum to set up De Paula who was making an adjacent run. De Paula flipped a shot over Hunter sophomore keeper Noah Dougherty (Bovina Center, N.Y.), who came off his line to cut off the shot, and it had enough zip to cross the line. That tally gave the Knights a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.
 
That's not to say there was a lack of chances for either team in a game that saw NJCU own a slight edge in shots (10-9). Just 10 seconds after the opening goal, NJCU picked up the first yellow card of the game, and from the ensuing free kick, the Hawks nearly tied the match. The ball ended up in the back of the net after some chaos in the box, that included Almeida, who was trying to clear the ball, being fouled, and the potential goal was waived off after it was ruled Hawks striker Blaise Enama (Roosevelt Island, NY) used his hand to knock in the loose ball.
 
Silva made another strong play in goal just before the half, punching an attempted cross over the bar and out to avoid the danger.
 
The Knights came out on the front foot after the half, coming particularly close to goals around the 58 minute mark. Sanoh set up a good chance in the 65^th minute, before freshman midfielder Orlando Alcantara's bid was blocked. Sanoh had an 80th minute breakaway stopped with a kick save.
 
The Hawks made their final push in the last action of the game, sending all 11 forward for a corner in the 90^th minute. The Knight defense remained stout, however, keeping the clean sheet and earning their second victory in as many matches.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: NJCU leads all-time, 11-6 (Won last 7 meetings)
• First meeting since September 25, 2004 (NJCU won, 10-0)
• NJCU posted its 225th shutout in school history. NJCU is 208-0-17 all-time when the opponent doesn't score.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Knights will go for their third straight shutout to start 2018, a feat they accomplished in each of the past two seasons under Cullen. They will host Yeshiva University (0-1-0) on Friday at 12:00 PM at Robert L. Memorial Soccer Field.

 
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