TEANECK, N.J. – FDU men's soccer (7-3-2, 3-0) defeated Chicago State (1-9, 1-1) by a score of 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Knights' victory lands them atop the NEC table with a 3-0 record in conference play.
FDU jumped out to an early start off the hot boot of Jaime Barbero. The senior from Spain found the back of the net on a strike in the 23rd minute. The goal put the Knights up 1-0, and set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Barbero has now scored in three straight games for the Knights. His latest goal came in the 82nd minute against New Haven to give FDU a 1-0 on Thursday, October 2. Prior to that, Barbero scored in the Knights' 4-0 rout of CCSU on September 28.
Barbero was joined on the scoresheet by his teammate Eric Dlabal just three minutes later. Dlabal headed in a goal in the 26th minute to pad the Knights' lead. Dlabal's goal is his third in the last four matches.
The Knights would ride a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Knights kept their foot on the gas pedal. Luke Ayaz continued his red-hot sophomore campaign, scoring a goal in the 65th minute. Ayaz now has four goals on the season, which is tied for the NEC lead.
The game was capped by a stellar goal by Connor O'Reilly in the 77th minute. O'Reilly sent a header in off of a Dlabal corner kick, putting FDU up 4-0. O'Reilly's goal was his first of the season, and as a Knight.
FDU got more stellar play in goal to help pick up their third straight victory. Matheus Franca helped FDU to their third consecutive clean sheet. Franca has helped FDU to an NEC-leading five clean sheets on the season thus far.
The Knights return home to University Stadium on Sunday, October 12. FDU hosts LIU at noon, with coverage on NEC Front Row.
Connect with the Knights on Instagram and X @FDUKnightsMSOC
Presto's Pizza is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 FDU men's soccer season
