Box Score

TEANECK, N.J. -- Five seniors on the Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team concluded their careers in winning fashion on Sunday night after the Knights blanked Sacred Heart, 1-0, in Northeast Conference action at University Stadium. With the victory, FDU ends the season at 4-12-2 (2-4-1 NEC), while the Pioneers finish the year 0-16-2 (0-6-1 NEC).

The Knights controlled possession for almost the final 75 minutes of the match and constructed arguably their best attack of the season, as they peppered Sacred Heart goalkeeper Tucker Hackett with 24 shots in various ways, including attempts off the crossbar and the posts.

Seven shots would be on goal, and junior Christian Dietrich (Berlin, Germany/Flatow-Oberschule) finally broke through early in the 73rd minute after senior Martin Lukaschik (Neubrandenburg, Germany/Sportsgymnasium Neubrandenburg) found his fellow German just inside the box. Dietrich beat Hackett to the top center of the back of the net for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The Pioneers were the aggressors in terms of shots over the first 15 minutes or so, outshooting FDU, 3-1, including a near goal off the head of Julian Linke, which hit the crossbar six seconds into the 16th minute.

It appeared the Knights were about to take the early lead in the 21st minute, but sophomore Enver Caymaz (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes)'s shot hit the post. A little over a minute later, freshman Casey Abelein (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermeulen) ripped a hard, low-trajectory header just outside the six yard line, but Hackett made a great save on the play to deny the goal.

With six minutes remaining until halftime, it was senior Miguel Escobar (Medellin, Columbia/The Columbus School)'s turn to hit the post, after he misfired from the left flank.

Over the first 45 minutes, FDU outshot Sacred Heart, 11-3, forcing Hackett into three of his six saves. The Knights also held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Less than four minutes after halftime, freshman goalkeeper Matthew Weigner (Warrington, Pa/Central Bucks South) passed his only test of the contest when he made a great save on a header after a Pioneers' corner kick.

The FDU attack would then take over with the next eight shots over a 24-minute stretch, which was capitalized by Dietrich's goal. The streak would eventually reach 11, before Sacred Heart constructed four attempts over the final seven minutes.

Nine different players recorded at least one shot, with Caymaz leading the way with eight. Lukaschik added five, including a team-best two on goal. Weigner collected his second career clean sheet.

Joining Lukaschik and Escobar in their final contest in a Knight uniform was Godfred Baafi (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack ), Manny Calixto (Passaic, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Nico Wright (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Jamaica College).

"It's nice to end the season with a win," Head Coach Seth Roland said. "We were very aggressive in attack and created numerous opportunities to score. Their goalkeeper (Tucker Hackett) was outstanding and he, along with the woodwork, kept us off the scoreboard for a long time tonight. Finally Didi (Christian Dietrich (Berlin, Germany/Flatow-Oberschule)) broke through with a nice goal, and we continued to create chances to extend the lead but were unlucky. I'm proud of the effort put forth by the five seniors, and the FDU men's soccer program will certainly miss them a great deal. It's sad to see them go."