The College of Staten Island men’s soccer team picked up their fourth straight win this afternoon on a rain soaked pitch. The Dolphins put an end to New Jersey City University’s four-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win at the CSI Soccer Complex. The win is part of the Bayonne Bridge Series and puts the Dolphins in the lead 2-1. The win also boosts the Dolphins to 4-1 on the year while knocking the Gothic Knights down to 3-1-1.
Right out of the gate the Dolphins’ offense was deep into Gothic Knight territory, putting pressure on the back four. That pressure paid off in the 5th minute when freshman Joe Bolella put the ball in the back of the net on a low cross from Dardan Nika after he was able to take on and beat two defenders. Nika nearly found a goal of his own in the 19th minute from a Chris Li corner kick. Nika was lurking back post and found himself wide open but volleyed it over the goal out of play.
The Dolphins pressure led to the Gothic Knights making a pair of early substitutions in hopes bring a spark to the team. The subs made no difference as the Dolphins were prepared for whatever the Gothic Knights had to throw at them. With just 10 minutes left in the first half, New Jersey City University had their best opportunity to score from a free-kick right outside the box. Jonathan Franco would take his place at the ball and cannon a shot off of a Dolphin wall and safely away from danger.
At the half, the Dolphins held a 1-0 lead and a 10-4 edge in shots.
The second half saw more balanced play as the Gothic Knights finally settled into the game. The best scoring opportunity for New Jersey City University came in the 72nd minute when Theo Sanoh uncorked a low shot that forced Ivan Barreraserao to make a diving stop. The Dolphins would catch a break late in the game when Ali Fares stole the pass from the last defender and was one-on-one with Eric Lopez Silva. Fares tried to chip the ball over Silva’s head but Silva knocked it away from outside the box earning him a straight red for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Staten Island was unable to capitalize on the free-kick opportunity but would strike home just minutes later. Bolella was once again involved in the action as he crossed the ball into the mix which allowed Vasyl Fedortsi to head one across the goal where Bryant Navarro was waiting to head it into an open goal. The freshman Navarro tallied his third goal of the season which ties him with fellow freshman Bolella atop the team.
The Gothic Knights’ Mike Almeida nearly scored a goal, however, Fares was waiting on the goal line and was able to clear it away to keep New Jersey City University off of the scoreboard.
Wilson Quintero almost netted the third goal of the game for the Dolphins when he was on a breakaway but was unsuccessful in his chance as back up goal keeper Aldahir Cazun made a big save for the Gothic Knights.
The Dolphins return to action on Saturday, September 16 against CCNY at the CSI Soccer Complex at 10:00 AM.
