Lions win back-to-back on the road

By Ann Brunn
Staff Writer

The men’s soccer team found itself back in the win column this past week with victories over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham and the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Lions were in an offensive battle with FDU-Florham, ultimately winning the game 5-4.

Junior midfielder Ryan Vazquez scored the first goal for the Lions off a penalty kick just four minutes into the match. The goal marked the fourth time Vazquez found the back of the net this season.

FDU-Florham quickly scored two goals and opened a 2-1 lead over the Lions, but the College would soon come back. In the 23rd minute, junior midfielder Kevin Esteves notched his first goal of the season off an assist from sophomore defenseman Tommy Suchora.

Before halftime, FDU-Florham broke the 2-2 tie with a goal in the 43rd minute, and took a 3-2 lead going into the break. Sophomore defenseman Dante Bettino collected his first goal of the season in the 63rd minute, which tied the contest at 3-3.

Shortly afterward, junior defenseman Matthew Nastarowicz found the back of the net for his first goal of the season that allowed the Lions to retake the lead 4-3.

The College didn’t take its foot off the gas, as it scored its third goal in five minutes when junior midfielder Sam Monaco connected for his first goal of the season.

The Lions fended off any of FDU-Florham’s attempts to tie the game, and earned the win to improve to 5-1 on the season. The team outshot FDU-Florham 14-8 on the match and had a 12-0 advantage on corner kicks. The match on Saturday, Sept. 14, produced more of the same, as the Lions defeated Mount Saint Vincent by a score of 3-1.

In the 30th minute, freshman forward Justin Dominique sent in a cross to freshman midfielder Riley Furlong, who headed it in for his first collegiate goal.

Junior goalkeeper Danial Mecadon made three saves in the first half and kept Mount Saint Vincent off the board.

Eleven minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Sam Monaco sent a pass to junior midfielder Kevin Esteves, who headed the ball to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.

Mount Saint Vincent scored in the 66th minute, but that would be its only goal of the contest. Senior midfielder Michael Maltese converted on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute, collecting his first goal of the season and ensuring a 3-1 victory for the Lions, boosting their overall record to 6-1 on the season. The College also out-shot Mount Saint Vincent 17-13.

The Lions return home to face Drew University tonight at 7:30 p.m. They will play their first road game against a New Jersey Athletic Conference opponent when they face Rutgers University-Newark on Saturday, Sept. 21.