TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team poured in four goals in the first half on its way to a 5-1 victory over Central Connecticut State Sunday night at University Stadium.
 
The Knights (5-5-2, 1-1-2 NEC) picked up their first Northeast Conference win of the season, gaining three points in the NEC standings. Junior Diego Arribas scored each of FDU's first two goals to total four points, and freshman Ville Ahola recorded three first-half assists. Redshirt senior Daniel Lasarte also netted four points with a goal and two assists, while sophomore Ideal Shefqeti notched both a goal and an assist as well.
 
"I thought we played well today and it was nice to finish our chances that we created," head coach Seth Roland said after the match. "Hopefully we can continue to score goals. I thought everyone played well."
 
Arribas started off the match with a goal in the fifth minute. Redshirt sophomore Adrian Barajas collected a loose ball and began the chain with a pass to Ahola, who redirected to a streaking Arribas upfield. The junior beat the CCSU defender down to the ball and finished past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0 Knights.
 
The Blue Devils (0-10-1, 0-5 NEC) tied the match three minutes later on a goal by Eddie Yepes, but the Knights countered with another strike from Arribas in the 19th minute, with assists from Lasarte and Shefqeti.
 
Freshman Peter Kozlej added to the FDU lead in the 28th minute by finishing a feed into the middle from Ahola for his first collegiate goal. The Knights later capped off the first half with Lasarte driving home with his left foot a crossing pass from Ahola, making it 4-1 at the break.
 
FDU continued to press for scores early in the second half, with Shefqeti making a short run to dribble past a CCSU defender before lining a shot with his right foot over the extended goalkeeper into the upper 90 for the fifth goal of the night.
 
The Knights on defense only allowed two CCSU shots on goal, with junior goalkeeper Jahmali Waite making a save on the lone shot on target in the second half.
 
The five goals for the Burgundy and Blue matches their most in a match since netting five goals last season at home against Sacred Heart. Arribas increased his team-highs to six goals and 14 points for the season, and Ahola's three assists now matches Lasarte for most on the squad this year.
 
FDU next plays at home on Friday against LIU in a match that starts at 7 p.m., at University Stadium. The Knights will be pairing up with Vs. Cancer during Friday's match in support of the fight against pediatric brain cancer.