TEANECK, N.J. – FDU men's soccer (4-2-2) picked up a thrilling 1-0 victory over Columbia (1-2-2) on Thursday night.
"We showed grit tonight," head coach Jaymee Highcock said. "We knew it was going to be a really hard game. Ivy League teams are some of the most physical teams in the country."
A physical game it was. The Knights and Lions battled throughout the beginning stages of the game, with each team scoreless through the first 45 minutes. FDU out-shot Columbia in the first half nine to five, but was unable to find the back of the net.
As the second half rolled around, the game tightened up more, the two teams combining for just seven shots in the final half.
In the final ten minutes, the aforementioned physicality came to play. FDU's Matt Giraldo went down with an injury late in the action, and had to leave the game. However, the Knights had reached the substitution limit, and were unable to send in another player to replace Giraldo. As a result, FDU found themselves playing a man down in the final ten minutes against an Ivy League opponent.
The challenge did not phase them.
Eric Dlabal began a great run to the box, and was able to find an open Luke Ayaz on the right side. Ayaz capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a dramatic goal in the 83rd minute to give the Knights a lead, and send University Stadium into a frenzy.
"He's been excellent, Luke," Highcock said. "He deserved his goal today, and we need more from him."
Ayaz' goal is the third of the season for the sophomore, leading all Knights. The three goals for Ayaz rank second amongst all NEC players, only trailing LIU's Niklas Thanhofer, who has four.
The Knights continued to bear down defensively over the final seven minutes, and were able to walk away with a hard-fought win. Giraldo would return immediately following Ayaz' goal, and play the remainder of the match.
Matheus Franca put up a clinic in goal for FDU. He recorded his second clean sheet of the season, while saving three shots in the process.
The Knights will finish their non-conference schedule with a road trip to Rutgers on Tuesday, September 23. Kickoff in Piscataway will come at 7 p.m.
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Presto's Pizza is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 FDU men's soccer season
