FDU Knights Athletics

TEANECK, N.J. - FDU Men's Soccer (12-3-3, 5-1-2 NEC) clinched a spot in the NEC Men's Soccer Championship for the third straight season, as the Knights topped Central Connecicut (6-9-2, 4-2-2 NEC) in the NEC Semifinals, winning 2-0 at Macron Stadium in Teaneck. 

FDU and Central Connecticut were in a stalemate through the first 45 minutes of the game, as neither team could generate high quality opportunities, as the two teams became more familiar with each other. In the first half, the Knights held the Blue Devils to just one shot in the opening frame, a shot that was saved by FDU keeper Matheus Franca.

The Knights had five shots in the first half, but did not generate a high quality scoring chance, as the game went to halftime, with the match tied at zero. 

The second half is where the action picked up, but not before a lightning delay that lasted over an hour, as sever weather crowded the area all day at Macron Stadium, delaying what was an original 3 p.m. game start, pushing it back to a 4:35 start. The Knights and Blue Devils both returned to their locker rooms for over an hour, as the weather passed over the Teaneck area. 

FDU came out of the delay as if they were shot out of a cannon, the Knights commanded the ball, and the time of possession numbers along with it, as FDU fired a couple of shots at Carter Fitzgerald, the CCSU goalkeeper. The Blue Devils were able to fend off the Knights hot start out of the lightning delay, but in the 76th minute, the burgundy and blue finally broke through. 

Matt Girlado was sent down the sideline with a beautiful pass to run into, with All-NEC first teamer Joshua Bartels streaking on the other side of the field alongside him. Girlado delivered a beautiful crossing pass that Bartels was able to run right into, and tap the ball past Fitzgerald into the Blue Devil net to give the Knights that all important tally, with less than 15 minutes left on the clock. 

FDU would not be done scoring in the match however, as just seven minutes after Joshua Bartels scored his fifth goal of the season, Ryan Calheira would bury his fifth of the season, executing on a pass from Luke Ayaz, who had a series of masterful touches around the ball to set up Calheira's finish. Calheira's goal was the icing on the cake, putting the Knights up by a pair of goals with just seven minutes left in the contest. 

The Knights rode that momentum all the way to the finish line, topping the Blue Devils 2-0, beating CCSU for the second time in as many weeks. This win advances FDU to the Championship Round of the NEC Men's Soccer Tournament, an accomplishment that they have achieved three seasons in a row. 

FDU will take on top seeded LIU in the NEC Men's Soccer Championship on Sunday afternoon at LIU Soccer Park in Brookeville, N.Y. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. 



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