The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's soccer team posted a 2-0 victory against Sacred Heart to clinch a spot in the 2009 Northeast Conference Tournament.
The Knights enter the postseason with a 9-8-1 overall record, tying for fourth in the league with 19 points. FDU is tied with St. Francis NY, who will play its final regular season match at Long Island on Saturday, Nov. 7.
In Fairfield, CT, the Knights used a goal in each half to earn a shutout victory over the Pioneers on Friday evening.
Senior Serge Zulu (Longueuil, Quebec/College Francais) started things off for the Knights in the 29th minute, finding the back of the net for his second goal of the season and what would become the game-winner.
Freshman Dominic Reinold (Wesseling, Germany/Gesamtschule Rodenkirchen) added an insurance goal in the 73rd minute, taking a pass from Tatenda Chimhanda and firing in his 12th goal this season.
Reinold leads the team with 28 points and 12 goals.The Knights out-shot the Pioneers by a slight margin, 10-9, and held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Junior Majdi Zaineh (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) made three saves to earn his fourth shutout and eighth win of the season.
"This was a critical win against a good Sacred Heart team," said Head Coach Seth Roland. "I'm so proud of the guys. We had to win our last five games to qualify playoffs and we did it. It is a testament to the mentality that our guys have, and the pride they feel in maintaining the winning FDU soccer tradition. It is not easy winning five in a row after being 1-3-1 in NEC play. We are playing with confidence and can't wait for the semifinals next Friday."
The Knights enter the conference tournament looking to repeat as league champions, after defeating Mount St. Mary's, 7-2, in the 2008 championship game to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
