BUFFALO, N.Y. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men's soccer team battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Fredonia on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Buffalo State. The Gothic Knights showed both their growing chemistry and emerging talent with sophomore JP Crespo (Belleville, N.J./Belleville), freshman Brian Ferriera, and freshman Erick Larrahondo (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) each scoring their first collegiate goals, while seniors Kenneth Valladares (Union City, N.J./Union City), Kevin Alves (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford), and Crespo contributed vital assists to spark NJCU's comeback.

Now 1-0-1 on the season, the Gothic Knights were outshot 16-9 overall and 14-5 in shots on goal. Despite being under constant pressure, NJCU goalkeeper Camilo Pascual Verdú delivered a standout performance, recording 11 saves in the full 90 minutes. Fredonia's goalkeeper made two saves on the day. The Blue Devils also held the edge in corner kicks (6-3), committed fewer fouls (7-2), and forced NJCU into three yellow cards and a red card in a highly competitive contest.

Fredonia came out firing early, testing Pascual Verdú in the 5th minute. The pressure paid off in the 18th minute, when Chance Lacroix opened the scoring with a well-placed shot into the lower right corner of the net to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. They quickly doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute when Liam Winters capitalized on space in the box and beat the keeper for a 2-0 scoreline.

NJCU struggled to find offensive footing in the opening stages and didn't record their first shot until the 40th minute when Crespo sent an attempt high. Just a minute later, after a series of Fredonia substitutions, the Gothic Knights took advantage of the sudden shift in rhythm. In the 41st minute, Valladares connected with Crespo, who netted his first collegiate goal, trimming the deficit to 2-1 before halftime. The Gothic Knights gained confidence, holding Fredonia without another shot before the break.

The second half opened with renewed urgency from Fredonia, who managed three shots — two on goal — in the first 11 minutes. Pascual Verdú kept the game close with key saves, and NJCU responded quickly. In the 58th minute, Crespo registered his first collegiate assist by finding freshman Brian Ferriera, who fired a low shot into the center of the goal to level the match at 2-2.

With momentum clearly shifting, NJCU pressed forward. In the 66th minute, senior captain Kevin Alves (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) sent a precise ball into the box, where Larrahondo leapt above the defense to head it into the high center of the net — his first career goal — giving the Gothic Knights their first lead of the game, 3-2. Alves' assist was the third of his career.

Fredonia wasn't finished. In the 71st minute, a foul in the NJCU box gave the Blue Devils a chance to equalize from the penalty spot. Lacroix, who had already scored once, stepped up again — but Pascual Verdú denied him not once, but twice, blocking the initial penalty and the rebound. The junior's double save kept the Gothic Knights ahead and marked his eighth stop of the game.

With just over 12 minutes remaining, Pascual Verdú briefly required medical attention but chose to continue. Fredonia used the brief pause to regroup and capitalized in the 78th minute. A well-placed corner kick from Dylan McAfee found Tomas Thordarsen, whose header sailed into the high center of the net, tying the match at three.

Fredonia nearly stole the win in the 84th minute with a shot that struck the upper right post. They recovered the ball and forced a second penalty kick following a handball in the box by NJCU. This time, it was Frederick Butler who took the shot — and once again, Pascual Verdú rose to the occasion, diving right to deny the attempt and preserve the draw. He would finish the day with 11 saves.

NJCU managed one final shot in the 90th minute that sailed wide, ending the dramatic contest in a 3-3 draw.

UP NEXT:
NJCU will return to action on Wednesday, September 3, as they host Manhattanville at 2:00 p.m. at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field, located at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletics Complex in Jersey City.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.