The College of Staten Island men’s soccer team fell for the second straight time to open up the 2015 season, suffering a 2-0 setback at the hands of The College of New Jersey in a non-league game played at Drew University as part of its annual Fall Festival in Madison, NJ.  The Dolphins slipped to 0-2 overall with the loss, while TCNJ upped their overall mark to 2-0.

Offensive chances were few and far between for both sides in this game as each team had only registered a single shot through the game’s first 20 minutes.  When play did open up a bit, TCNJ seemed to have the better of the chances and the taught back line proved frustrating for CSI’s offensive playmakers at the front.  The Dolphins were also shown three yellow caution cards to Brayan Evo, Matthew Rocca, and Ruben Diaz.  Still, both team’s defenses shined in the opening stanza, and the two teams went into intermission deadlocked at 0-0.  

In the second half, both teams started to pick up their offensive games, but it was the Lions that prevailed.  After a shot that was blocked and another that was saved by CSI keeper Daniel Raffo, TCNJ got on the board with a goal by Peter Dresch, who tucked one away into the low corner from six yards out on a nice feeder from Thomas Hogue at 53:44.

From there, TCNJ clamped down defensively while the Dolphins were forced to send more players at the goal and to take chances. It wasn’t until 23 minutes into the second frame that CSI got a ball through, but a Vasyl Fedortsi shot proved high.  Five minutes later, at 73:28, Nick Costelloe punched in a ball on a cross from Michael Kassick that gave the Lions a commanding 2-0 lead.

CSI was hit with another pair of yellow cards in the second frame and could only muster another shot in the frame, as TCNJ locked up the game defensively.

TCNJ led the final shot count, 16-8 (7-2 on goal), with Costelloe and Hogue leading the way with three shots apiece.  TCNJ leads the all-time series with the Dolphins, 3-0, and the Lions have now taken back-to-back 2-0 victories in consecutive years over CSI.

CSI will next play Drew University tomorrow afternoon at 4pm to conclude the Fall Festival.