RIVERDALE, N.Y. - FDU men's soccer fell (2-5-1) dropped their final non-conference test before the start of the Northeast Conference play later this week as the Burgundy and Blue were bested by Manhattan 2-0 Wednesday evening at Gaelic Park.
 

How It Happened

First Half

• After an uneventful first several minutes of the match at a cool, brisk Gaelic Park, the home side got on the board in the 7' with Nassim Akki finding Johan Velez for the first score of the evening to break the tally open.
• Manhattan would dominate the possession throughout the opening period with a total of seven shots after their opening goal before FDU would record their first of the contest.
• From the back row, junior defender Hugo Bacharach blasted the Knights' first attempt of the game in the 44' though it would land wide right of the goal.

Second Half

• Making some tactical changes at the half, FDU came out swinging down 1-0 after 45 minutes of play with a shot-on-target, the side's first of the contest, off the boot of sophomore forward Kevin Leonhard in the 47'.
• All three of the Knights' shots on goal would come in the second with Leonhard tallying two and newcomer Eugenio García placing one in the 65'.
• The Jaspers in their home green kits would score again from Velez unassisted for a brace in the fixture and double the Manhattan lead.
• A penalty was called in the 70' but FDU would catch a break with 20 minutes on the clock as the the attempt would miss far right and out of play.

 

Inside the Box Score

Juan Martín Barahona made his first career start in goal for FDU and made three highlight reel saves with the junior tallying eight saves (season best), stopping all but two of the Jaspers' shots on goal.
 

Quotable

"We need to rediscover the aspects of our game which made us quite good until the past two games," said Roland. "Defending in an organized and final disciplined manner, counter attacking dangerously and possessing effectively. Hopefully we will do so by our Northeast Conference opener at Sacred Heart this Sunday."
 

The Road Ahead

FDU makes the trip to Sacred Heart on Sunday, September 25 to begin NEC action with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. live on NEC Front Row. The Burgundy and Blue are 3-0-2 against the Pioneers in the last five meetings between the two programs.

Connect with FDU men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMSOC.