MONTCLAIR, N.J. —The New Jersey City University men's soccer team suffered their first loss of the season tonight, Friday, Sept. 23, as the Gothic Knights kicked off their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play at nationally-ranked, Montclair State University. The Gothic Knights gave all the Red Hawks they could handle for nearly 70 minutes, but a late goal by MSU pushed the team from Montclair over Jersey City, 1-0. The squad was led by goalkeeper Nick Linebaugh (Linden, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep), with the Linden native collecting a season-high 12 saves in the defeat. Also, the 26 shots were the most the senior has seen this season.
It was a very physical Friday night light matchup between undefeated foes, NJCU (5-0-1, 0-1 NJAC) and No. 21 Red Hawks (6-0-3, 1-0 NJAC), as the teams combined for 22 fouls, eight yellow cards, and two red cards in the clash.
The Gothic Knights began the match by getting the first shot on goal of the night from freshman Jonathan Caballero (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy), however the Red Hawk keeper made the stop on a shot in the lower left corner to keep things scoreless. The defense and Linebaugh would have their hands full throughout the first half, as Montclair out-shot NJCU 14-1 in the first 45 minutes of play. Nevertheless, the defense led by freshman Jason Salamanca (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth), sophomores Jason Suarez (Clifton, N.J./Clifton), Jerson Lanchipa (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy), junior Anthony Salmeron (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), and Linebaugh had an immaculate half that did not allow anything to get into the back of the net.
The squad got their best opportunities in the 52nd and 53rd minute with both chances missing by just inches, after a blast by freshman Juan Vizcaino (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) and rebound on the following corner kick by Salamanca that was wide of the bottom left corner. Shortly later, the Red Hawks came storming down the field looking to capitalize. Linebaugh made the save of the year after MSU blasted a ball inside the box, the senior forced a punch save, and then a kick save to preserve the 0-0 score.
The keeper for NJCU would make seven more saves in the second half, but the Red Hawks got past the senior on a rebound deflection in the 67th minute, giving Montclair a 1-0 lead. Salamanca gave the Gothic Knights one more push in the final minute of play, but the shot on goal was saved by MSU, ultimately giving the NJAC rival, 1-0 victory.
The match was finished in 10-on-10 fashion after Vizcaino and Adam Franco of Montclair State were issued red cards in the 65th minute.
Up Next :
Jersey City's team will have the next few days off and return to their home pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 28, to battle against the reigning NJAC champions, Rowan University Profs. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
