BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Fairleigh Dickisnon men's soccer team was defeated 1-0 in overtime Friday afternoon by LIU Brooklyn in the NEC Tournament semi-finals. The loss marks the end of the 2018 campaign for FDU.
The Knights finish the season with a final record of 7-7-4 (4-2-2 NEC). Ahu Obhakhan led the Knights on the afternoon with four total shots. Goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made four saves in net on the afternoon.
"I thought we played with tremendous energy and heart today," head coach Seth Roland said. "We really had LIU on their heels in the first half, and were unlucky not have been up by a goal or two at halftime. We defended well as a team and were very committed, but soccer is a game of moments, and we were a little unlucky with taking our moments. LIU, to their credit, took theirs in the overtime".
Though the Blackbirds enjoyed a greater share of possession the first half of, however it was the Knights who by far generated a greater number of quality scoring chances, narrowly missing on two great looks in the games opening 25 minutes.
In the 8', Mompremier worked his way into the box off of an odd-man break from an FDU counter, however the senior tapped the effort just mere inches wide of the right post.
Ten minutes later, Obhakhan nearly put the Knights up 1-0 again off off yet another Knights counter. After his initial strike was saved by LIU keeper Sam Ilin, the ball popped high up into the air and right back to a waiting Obhakhan, however his second effort off a header popped over the keeper, narrowly missing the far post again.
Arribas had another try blocked away several minutes later as LIU began to ramp up the pressure in their attacking third of the pitch, forcing the Knights to try and break down their extremely sound midfield and defensive back line in the second half.
Rasmus Hansen earned a solid look five minutes into the second half from the top of the box, however the effort sailed wide. Just minutes later Waite, was challenged again, this time from Fredrik Mathison, however Waite made the save to preserve the tie.
Two more quality looks from the Blackbirds nearly broke the stalemate in the 68', however FDU continued to be incredibly stout defensively in their own right. Marius Koss's effort was blocked away by an FDU defender, while Erik Johansson pushed his effort wide.
As the rain continued to pour on LIU Field, both squads searched for a late-game winner as LIU continued to press and the Knights continued to look dangerous on the counter, however 90 minutes was not enough to send one squad through to the championship.
Unfortunately for the Knights, it was Hansen and LIU that finally managed to break the stalemate six minutes into the extra frame, finishing off a cross into the box with a one-touch effort that beat Waite and sailed into the back of the net.
"I'm extremely proud of these guys," Roland said. "They've played with passion and guts the entire year. They're such a great group of young men, and I'm especially going to miss the eight seniors so much. They've provided outstanding leadership and mentorship to the younger players and really put our program back firmly in the upper echelon of the NEC. They've got so much to be proud of."
