JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's soccer team fell in a five-goal thriller this afternoon, Saturday, Oct. 7, against Ramapo College, 3-2. The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup was tied 2-2 through 89 minutes, but with 14 seconds left, the Roadrunners won a dangerous set piece and scored the winner from it. Junior forward Danny Tobon (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) forced Ramapo's defense into an own goal to break the deadlock in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Juan Vizcaino (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) scored his second goal of the week and the Green and Gold's second of the afternoon via a sublime Jorkaef Fallas (North Bergen, N.J./Hudson Catholic) pass in the 55th minute. Senior Nick Linebaugh (Linden, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) recorded nine saves off 12 on-target attempts by Ramapo.

The Gothic Knights (5-5, 0-4 NJAC) and the Roadrunners (3-6-2, 1-3 NJAC) battled from the first whistle with both squads looking for their first conference victory of the campaign. Despite a slower start from the Gothic Knights, Tobon was able to get his head on a Fallas cross in the 18th minute. Though his chance was saved by the Ramapo goalkeeper, it rebounded back into play, only to pinball off a Roadrunner into their own net. The Green and Gold began to take control of the match after taking the lead, but the Roadrunners were able to equalize against the run of play to end the half 1-1.

NJCU would reclaim the lead with a very well worked goal in the 60th minute. The play started in the Green and Gold defensive third, as Fallas was able to win a long ball into midfield. With four Roadrunners defending, he would thread the needle to a streaking Vizcaino, who only needed two touches to put the Gothic Knights ahead. Ramapo found another equalizer 12 minutes later off a corner kick.

The Gothic Knights thought they had the winner a few minutes later. Senior midfielder Thiago Duarte (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) sent a looping free kick to the top corner of Ramapo's goal and would find the back of the net after some mayhem in front of goal. Initially given as, the goal was ruled out after the ball was deemed out of play after hitting the football uprights crossbar at Caven Point, and play would restart with the score still tied. The Roadrunners would go on to score the winner with seconds left on the clock via a free kick in a dangerous area.

Up Next:
Before hitting the road for NJAC play, the Green and Gold will face New York University at home on Monday, Oct. 9, in a non conference matchup at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field at the Thomas M. Gerrity Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.