TEANECK, N.J. – FDU men's soccer picked up a big 3-1 win over Le Moyne on Thursday evening. The win clinched an NEC tournament appearance for the Knights.
On a rainy day in Teaneck, the Knights looked to rebound following a 1-0 road loss to Saint Francis on October 26, their first conference loss of the season.
Both squads went scoreless through the first half, despite some good chances for FDU. The Knights out-shot the Dolphins nine to two in the first half of play. FDU's best chance in the first half came on a breakaway by Jaime Barbero. The senior found an empty net in front of him, but a remarkable recovery by the Le Moyne back line prevented his shot from going in.
Into the second half, the conditions at University Stadium began to clear up as the sun poked through for the first time. The Knights offense did the same in the second half.
Jaime Barbero made up for his missed chance in the first half, sending home an unassisted strike in the 60th minute, giving FDU a 1-0 lead. Barbero's score was his fifth of the season, tying a career-high mark in a single season.
The lead lasted for all of one minute and twenty-one seconds. Le Moyne created a chance at the opposite end following the goal, and caused chaos in front of the FDU net. The Knights defense was unable to clear the ball out, and mistakenly sent in an own goal, tying the match back up at one apiece.
Then, the pendulum swung back in FDU's favor once more.
Just 43 seconds later in the 62nd minute, Arnau Rabassa Guillamon put the Knights ahead, firing home a strike off of a rebounded shot by Luke Ayaz.
Rabassa Guillamon would get on the scoresheet again in the 71st minute, following a beautiful chance started by Connor O'Reilly. O'Reilly sent in a marvelous through ball to Luke Ayaz, who centered a pass for Rabassa Guillamon. The senior's score put the Knights up 3-1.
With the brace, Rabassa Guillamon is now tied for the NEC lead in goals with seven on the season. He also leads the NEC in points with 16.
The victory has also clinched the Knights a spot in the 2025 NEC Tournament. FDU currently sits at number two in the league table, just two points behind Saint Francis. FDU will control their own destiny to win the 2025 NEC Regular Season Title over their next two games.
The Knights will continue their quest to top the NEC table when they head to Erie, PA to face Mercyhurst on November 6. Kick-off in Erie will come at 1 p.m.
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Presto's Pizza is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 FDU men's soccer season
