PATCHOGUE, N.Y. — Playing in their first away-match of the 2022-23' season, the Gothic Knights put together a gutsy performance on Wednesday, Sept. 7, to earn a 2-2 draw at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, N.Y. The Golden Eagles got on the scoreboard first right before the half, but the squad responded with two early goals of their own to start the second-half. Unfortunately, the team from Long Island found the back of the net in the 71st minute, ultimately ending the game in a draw.

Following a save by freshman goalkeeper Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) to begin the game, the physical and aggressive play began for the Gothic Knights. The squad recorded two strikes from senior Michelle Taras (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) and Kim Brites (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) but both were saved by the Golden Eagle keeper. Brites ended the half with two more shots on goal but the keeper for SJC kept Jersey City's team scoreless in the first half. 

With two minutes left in the half, the Blue and Yellow took a 1-0 lead on the shot by Abbey Curico. NJCU came into the half with optimism, as they lead both teams in shots during the first 45 minutes of play. 

NJCU (1-1-1, 0-0- NJAC) came out of the locker-room with vengeance and eagerness to find the back of the net. The squad ripped off six shots on net before the Golden Eagles had their first. After an early blast from freshman Ariana-Flores-Ortiz, head-coach Anthony Tuesta subbed in fellow freshman Rebecca Lopez (Mountain View, Calif./Mountain View) for Ortiz and the newcomer wasted no time getting her team back into the match. Lopez took a pass right outside the box from Brites and made a strike from nearly 20 yards away into the top left corner, tying the game at 1-1. This was the second goal for the rookie in three matches, after she scored in the season-opener against Yeshiva University.

The Gothic Knights continued to put the pressure onto the Golden Eagle defense. This time, it was Lopez helping her teammates find the goal. Just eight minutes later, the rookie left a pass at the top of the box for junior Samantha Szymanski (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) and midfielder fired it right past the goal-keeper, giving NJCU the 2-1 lead. This was the first goal career goal in the Green and Gold for Syzmanksi. 

As the physicality increased in the half, both teams found themselves with more free-kicks and opportunities to tie the game or distance themselves. SJC took advantage of a shot that went off the cross-bar and then rebounded for a goal to tie the match at 2-2. NJCU continued to push the ball into Golden Eagle territory, getting off four more shots, including a strike by freshman Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) that struck the cross-bar at the 87th minute. The defense led by senior captain Arame Diouf (Weehawken, N.J./Memorial) held up on a late push by the Golden Eagles, leaving the non-conference friendly match in a 2-2 draw.

Up Next:
Jersey City's team will be heading off to Allentown, Pa., to take on Cedar Crest College in a friendly nonconference matchup on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Gothic Knights will look to continue their success against the Falcons, as they are 4-0-2 against the team from Pennsylvania in their six meetings all-time. Kick-off is set of 1:00 p .m.