TEANECK, N.J. – Back-to-back goals in the second half by David Bokumabi (Oberthal, Germany/Saarbrucken) and Cristian Nunez (Paramus, N.J./St. Benedicts) propelled the Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Bryant University at University Stadium on Friday night.
 
With the win, the Knights (3-8-1, 1-1-1 NEC) earn their first conference victory in their last nine tries and their first over the Bulldogs (1-9-1, 0-1-1 NEC) since 2011.
 
The victory also marks head coach Seth Roland's 99^th career NEC win. Now in his 20^th season at the helm for Fairleigh Dickinson, Roland boasts a career conference record of 99-47-27 (.645).
 
On his team's performance Roland said, "I am proud of the effort of our guys, I thought we competed well and played well. This is just one game but it definitely gives a boost. Hopefully it will give our guys confidence and boost our morale going into next week."
 
The Knights' offense doubled up the Bulldogs in shot attempts with an 18-9 advantage, including an 11-5 edge in shots on goal.
 
Despite several solid scoring chances in the first half, the Knights were unable to breakthrough against Bryant's goalkeeper Olivier Larente. In the seventh minute of play, Larente thwarted a dangerous opportunity by making consecutive saves to turn away Enver Caymaz (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) and Daniel Lasarte (Madrid, Spain/Defiance (Ohio)) and keep the game scoreless.
 
Through the first of half action, the Knights held a 9-5 advantage in shot attempts but the game entered intermission knotted at zero.
 
Fairleigh Dickinson broke the tie at the 52:54 mark courtesy of a highlight-reel goal from Bokumabi. From 25-yards out, the sophomore midfielder sent a hooking shot toward the right side of the frame, which curved perfectly into the upper-right corner of the net and far out of Larente's reach. Bokumabi's goal was his second of the season and ignited the Knights' offense.
 
The Knights only needed 46 seconds to add to their lead as Cristian Nunez (Paramus, N.J./St. Benedicts) got in on the action with his first of the season. Nunez confidently approached the right side of the box and delivered a seed from 23-yards out which splashed into the back left corner of the net and provided the Knights all the offense they would need.
 
Aided by the outstanding play of redshirt freshman defender Quentie Kyeremateng (Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie), Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper Julian Murillo Toro (Cali, Colombia/Francisco de Pio XII) kept the Bulldogs out of the goal column and earned his second victory of the season.
 
Making his first start in net since September 10, Murillo made five saves on the night, none bigger than his effort against Bryant's Curtis Orth in the final minutes. With 4:56 to go, Orth charged fast and sent a rocket over Murillo's head but the Knights' junior netminder leapt up and punched the shot over the crossbar to preserve the shutout.
 
Fairleigh Dickinson continues NEC play when they host Saint Francis U next Friday, October 21. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m. at University Stadium.