JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com)  | New Jersey City University outshot The College of New Jersey, 22-15, but missed a potential game-tying penalty kick in the first half and could never solve TCNJ junior goalkeeper Daniel Mecadon (Flemington, N.J.), who made eight saves to lead the Lions to a 2-0 win over NJCU in New Jersey Athletic Conference action at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field on October 19.
 
TCNJ improved to 10-2-3 overall and 2-1-3 in the NJAC thanks to goals in the 13th minute by freshman forward Justin Dominique (Hillsborough, N.J.) and junior midfielder Kevin Esteves in the 55th frame. 
 
Prior to the game, NJCU honored its 10-man senior class—one of the largest groups in school history—as Maykol Abreu (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth), Mike Almeida (Kearny, NJ/Kearny), Joe Burgos (Hackensack, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep), Edgar Crespo (Newark, NJ/Science Park), Ryan Farrell (South River, NJ/South River), Ron Jones (Montclair, NJ/Montclair), Rob Khela (Cairo, Egypt/Alabasia; Alexandria, Egypt), Koshane Marshall (Montclair, NJ/Montclair), Danny Montehermoso (Union City, NJ/Union City) and Doug Reyes were all recognized. All 10 seniors played in the game.
 
Sophomore midfielder Ryan Santos (Warren, N.J.) and freshman back/mid Luke Yates (Ocean, N.J.) each picked up single assists that directly led to both Lion goals. Three different TCNJ players had a high of three shots in the win.
 
NJCU junior goalkeeper Aldahir Cazun (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) made four saves in 85:18 for NJCU before Montehermoso saw the final 4:42.
 
Burgos had a game-high six shots (three on goal) while sophomore forward Edric De Paula (Blairstown, NJ/Newark Tech) had five shots but couldn't connect on the PK in the 17th minute that could have potentially evened the game at 1-1.
   
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the seventh minute, Santos had the first good opportunity for the Lions with Cazun making the stop.
• Later in the 13th minute, TCNJ cashed in in a play by Santos who played a perfect ball from the left endline right in front of the goal for an easy one-timer by Dominique who scored his fourth goal of the season. The assist was the third for Santos.
• In the 17th minute, NJCU had a golden opportunity when junior back Sebastian Leon (Bergenfield, N.J.) dragged down rookie midfielder Oscar Perez (Passaic, NJ/Passaic Tech). De Paula, NJCU's co-leader with seven goals took the penalty kick and did a slow run up to the ball before uncharacteristically missing the net completely wide left with a low shot.
• NJCU had an opportunity on the right wing in the 21st minute as junior midfielder Luis Laing (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) uncorked a low line-drive shot, forcing Mecadon to lay out to pull the ball in.
• De Paula had another opportunity making a run on the far left endline in the 28th minute, forcing Mecadon to make a two-handed block on the left post.
• In the 32nd minute, Esteves led junior forward Ryan Vazquez forward with a pass onto the left side of the box and the ensuring shot was set aside with one hand by Cazun who laid out towards the far post. The ensuring rebound was pushed wide by Dominique.
• In the 52nd minute, Burgos hit a high laser beam from the near right wing that forced Mecadon to make a high save over the crossbar. Two minutes later Burgos had another run on the right side but didn't get enough pace on the attempt and Mecadon went low to smother it.
• At the 54:54 mark, TCNJ scored on a long throw in from Yates, who launched a line drive that skipped through the defense and Esteves ran onto the ball inside the six for an easy finish. TCNJ led 2-0 despite the shots being 11-10 NJCU at that point in the game.
• In the 61st minute, Cazun bombed a punt downfield and Perez curled a shot on goal from the left wing that was saved.
• In the  63rd minute, sophomore midfielder Samuel Ansah (East Orange, NJ/Newark Tech) was sent in on a 1-v-1 on the right side of the box before Mecadon came out to make an aggressive breakup.
• In the 68th minute, TCNJ sent a long ball up field and Santos went in on a breakaway that appeared like it would be a certain goal. Out of nowhere, sophomore back Eduin Hernandez made one of the finest ball tackles you'll ever see, breaking up the play from behind to keep the deficit at two goals.
• In the 82nd minute, Laing launched another shot on goal from the near left side but Mecadon jumped out to clutch the shot.
• Late in the 89th minute, Burgos had two point-blank shots—the first was stopped by Mecadon before the second was blocked to end any comeback bid for the Knights.

 

OF NOTE:

• Series: 64th meeting dating to 1959. TCNJ leads the all-time matchup, 53-7-4. TCNJ has won the last eight meetings since 2012.
• If NJCU does not qualify for the ECAC Tournament and host a playoff game, it will end its nine-game home schedule with a 4-5 ledger.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Gothic Knights play their final two games of the season on the road, beginning on Saturday, October 26 in Galloway, N.J. against Stockton University (1:00 PM).

 
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