A tandem of scoring strikes by freshman forward Paul King (New Castle, England/Monkseaton) (Newcastle, England) enabled to Fairleigh Dickinson University men's soccer team to defeat visiting Long Island University, 2-1, Sunday, Nov. 9 at University Field in Teaneck, NJ.  The Knights ultimately improved to a 6-2-1 record in the Northeast Conference, while the Blackbirds finished the fall at 3-5-1.

Long Island (8-9-1 overall) forward Steve Jakubowski (West Deptford, NJ) registered an unassisted goal in the 11th minute to shift the Blackbirds ahead, 1-0.  The freshman gained possession of a loose ball at the top of the box and slid a shot low, and inside the left post.

“It wasn't out sharpest effort, but we did what we needed to do to win the game ? and there's a lot to be said for that,” Head Coach Seth Roland said.  “Now we look forward to the NEC Tournament semifinals on Friday.”

King netted the equalizer for Fairleigh Dickinson (11-5-2 overall) in the 31st minute, working a give-and-go with junior midfielder Sergio Munoz (Linden, NJ/Linden) (Linden, NJ).  Munoz returned King's initial pass into the right corner, allowing for King's finish lower right.

In the 61st minute, Jakubowski went unmarked into the middle of the field and fired an attempt from 25 yards out.  With FDU junior goalkeeper Majdi Zaineh (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) (Clifton, NJ) screened by a teammate, Jakubowski's effort skidded past Zaineh and ricocheted off the left post.  Zaineh made six saves on the afternoon.

Ten minutes later, King popped his second game-winner of his rookie campaign, scoring lower left.  Senior midfielder Fabrizio Trezza (Rome, Italy, /Sion) (Rome, Italy) accepted a ball from the back line and carried towards the net.  He dropped a ball back to junior forward Samson Malijani (Lusaka, Zambia, /La Sapienza) (Lusaka, Zambia), who faked a shot and placed a pass deep into the left side of the box for King.  Following King's one touch and blast, the Knights owned a 2-1 advantage.

With the victory, Fairleigh Dickinson secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming weekend's NEC Tournament.  Meanwhile up in New Britain, CT, Monmouth University was able to pick up three points in double overtime at Central Connecticut State University.  The Hawks earned the No. 1 slot after defeating the host Blue Devils, 2-1.  Following a noon kick-off, Quinnipiac University took down visiting Mount St. Mary's University, 3-0, en route to landing the third seed.

The semifinals of the four-team bracket will be contested, Friday, Nov. 14 with Monmouth taking on No. 4 Mount St. Mary's.  On Oct. 18, the Mount fell, 2-1, versus Monmouth in Emmitsburg, MD.  The late game will feature FDU and Quinnipiac.  On Oct. 17, the Knights won 2-0 in Hamden, CT.

For further information on Fairleigh Dickinson's postseason run ? as it becomes available ? please check back with www.fduknights.com.