Box Score ROCHESTER, N.Y. – From 30 yards out, senior forward Paul Sandoval struck a ball into the back of the net late in Sunday's match against Roberts Wesleyan and the Queens College men's soccer team held on for the win, 1-0.
Heading into the contest winners of their last two conference road matches, the Knights were finding their form at a crucial part of the season. Queens entered their tilt with Roberts Wesleyan in a tie with Dowling College for the fourth-and-final playoff spot with less than half of the conference slate remaining.
Understanding the gravity of the occasion, senior Glen Reid, a captain on this year's squad, got the Knights off to a strong start with his attempt on goal in the match's 12th minute. Sandoval followed his lead and tried a shot of his own in the 26th minute that also required saving. Despite their efforts, the match remained scoreless at intermission.
The second half opened with a bout of physical play, with the home team committing four fouls in the first six minutes. After a string of shots by Queens' players fell off target, senior Aitor Gurrutxaga's try off a corner kick by Reid in the 69th minute forced the first save of the second half. Reid broke the game open shortly thereafter with his far-out strike to the left post in the match's 72nd minute. It was Reid's first goal of the season and proved to be the game-winning strike as the Knights held firm for a 1-0 victory.
Starting in goal for the fourth consecutive match, Robbie Webster secured his second clean of the weekend after Saturday's 3-0 result at Daemen College. Working behind the Knights' sturdy defense against Roberts Wesleyan, the junior from Perth, Australia, only had to save one attempt by the Redhawks.
With the win, Queens improved to 4-6-0 on the season and 4-2-0 in East Coast Conference play. Now the Knights own 12 points in the table and sole possession of second place with only four games remaining. On the other end, Roberts Wesleyan fell to 5-5-2 for the season and 2-3-1 in the ECC. They now sit in seventh.
Up next for the Knights is a nonconference fixture on the road against Saint Michael's on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Colchester, Vt. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
