FDU Knights Athletics

TEANECK, N.J. – A tight contest throughout went the way of FDU (1-2-2) by a score of 2-0 against the strong competition of Fairfield (2-1-3). Goals from Candela Espana & Marina Burzaco propelled the Knights to their first win of the season.

"It was really nice for us to do the little things today," said head coach Eric Teepe. "That helped us in generating chances, and I felt we could have had a couple in the first half too, but it was good to see the team just keep going."

The match got off to a slow start, with it taking 24 minutes for the first shot to be recorded. FDU's formidable pair of Ana Salas and Burzaco linked up to create a chance for Burzaco from just outside the 6-yard box, forcing Fairfield's Alyssa Gluting to be quick off her line and make an impressive save.

FDU goalkeeper Rosemarie Leblanc continued her stoic start to the season with 4 saves at the end of the first half, eventually notching 7 total in the game.

Despite Fairfield having control of the game for the majority of the opening phases in the second half, FDU generated a serious chance in the 56^th minute. Maria Barreo unleashed an incredible effort from 30 yards out towards the top-right corner, hitting the underside of the crossbar and eventually landing in the hands of the Stags' keeper.
 
The match was decided in the 71^st and sealed in the 85^th by a pair of stunning strikes. The first came from the right foot of Espana from a free kick, curling beautifully to the top-left corner, possessing just enough power to get past the dive of Gluting. This marked Espana's first collegiate goal. Burzaco then delivered a second and final goal for the Knights shortly after, with the first goalscorer, Espana, finding her with a diagonal ball. Burzaco seized her opportunity and buried the ball yet again in the top corner to put the match to bed and give FDU their maiden win of the 2026 campaign.
                                   

What's Next

The Knights will travel to Baltimore, Md., this Sunday, September 6^th, to face the Loyola Greyhounds at 6 pm.

                  
                                                      
                                                       Read Full Article