JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University men's soccer team started off its 2022 season with a second consecutive victory on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 3, following the 2-0 win over Hunter College at Caven Point Field.
The Gothic Knights (2-0) dominated possession all day long against the Hawks (0-2) and outshot the visitors but a 13-2 margin in on-target attempts. Despite that advantage, neither team was able to score a goal in the first half as it ended scoreless.
After the first yellow card of the game, called on Hunter in the 37th, NJCU managed a few strong on-target attempts in the tail end of the half off the feet of sophomore
Jason Suarez (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) and freshmen
Jonathan Caballero (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) and
Jason Salamanca (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth).
Each squad had a few opportunities in the early part of the second half before Jersey City got called for a couple of yellows in the 68th. NJCU continued to put the pressure on, including an outstanding header chance by junior
Anthony Salmeron (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) off a corner in the 72nd.
A huge moment late in the game happened seconds later in the same minute when the Hawks broke free for their best scoring chance of the day. A long pass found the Hunter forward running free but senior keeper
Nick Linebaugh (Linden, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) came out of his net to make an aggressive play on the ball to turn the chance away.
After another chance, this time off the foot of freshman
Jacobo Espinosa (South Hackensack, N.J./Union City) in the 73rd, the Gothic Knights finally broke through in the 74th when sophomore
Danny Tobon (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) made an aggressive play to steal the ball from the Hawks' keeper and put it in the back of the net to make it 1-0. Less than a minute later, NJCU drew a foul in the box and sophomore
Jaime Bimboza (Jersey City, N.J./William L. Dickinson) converted on the penalty opportunity in the 75th to make it 2-0.
Following a couple more NJCU yellows and a pair of on-target attempts that were turned aside, the Gothic Knights closed out the two-goal victory.
Up Next:
The Green and Gold are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday night, Sept. 6, when they are back at Caven Point for another home match, this time against Penn State Brandywine.
