GLASSBORO, N.J. – The New Jersey City University men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss on the road tonight, Saturday, Oct. 2, against Rowan University in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) competition.

The Gothic Knights (7-3-1, 0-3 NJAC) remained scoreless to the #22 (d3soccer.com) Profs (8-1, 3-0 NJAC) in the NJAC game of the season. Within two minutes, NJCU sophomore Maximo Vargas (Montevideo, Uruguay/The British Schools) kicked off play with a shot on goal that missed wide. Rowan responded with two shots on goal, both saved by senior goalkeeper Nick Linebaugh (Linden, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep). Gothic Knight sophomore Jorkaef Fallas (North Bergen, N.J./Hudson Catholic) took the next shot opportunity, missing high. After fouls were given to both teams, Vargas and Rowan's Leo Montesinos additionally received yellow cards.

In the last 10 minutes of the first half, RU's Anthony Arena managed to score goal off a ricocheted ball from inside the box, putting the Profs in the lead at 1-0. NJCU senior Luis Laing (Jersey City, N.J./William L. Dickinson) had the final shot opportunity, missed high, concluding the first 45:00.

Following a Rowan foul, NJCU senior Samuel Ansah (East Orange, N.J./Newark Tech) took the first shot of the second half, missing wide. Intensity picked up as the Profs had three back-to-back shots on goal, again saved by Linebaugh — he ended with a total of 10 saves throughout the match-up.

In the 59th minute, a yellow card was given to sophomore Anthony Salmeron (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), NJCU's second card of the night. Not long after, Vargas received a second yellow card, suspending him for rest the game as an automatic red, and he will be out for the next match. Multiple fouls were called on both teams, resulting in the second yellow card for Rowan in the 72nd minute. With 12 minutes remaining, Gothic Knight Jaime Bimboza (Jersey City, N.J./William L. Dickinson) found a shot on goal, but was saved by the Profs' goalkeeper.

Tension continued to build through the last 10 minutes of the game – starting with a NJCU team save off a Rowan corner kick. Bimboza then found control of the ball and went for another shot, but still failed to beat the Profs' goalkeeper. Rowan took possession of the ball for the next couple minutes, landing another corner kick and a few shots on goal. At 3:50, Chad Yates managed to retrieve a through ball inside the box and land the second, and final, goal of the night for Rowan. Jersey City was unable to make a comeback within the final minutes, leaving Rowan victorious at 2-0.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will stay on the road and travel to Phoenixville, Pa., to compete against the University of Valley Forge in a rescheduled non-conference match on Monday, Oct. 4, at 4:00 p.m.