ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y.– The Queens College men's soccer team returned to the wins column with a 1-0 shutout win over Molloy College Lions at John A. Darcy Field in East Coast Conference action.
Sophomore
Nicholas Tagios (East Williston, N.Y.) returned to the lineup and continued his goal-scoring form for his team-leading seventh goal of the season as the Knights gave the Lions their first conference loss of the season Saturday evening.
With the win, Queens improved to 6-4 overall, 2-3 in conference, while Molloy moved to 6-4-1 overall, 4-1 in ECC action.
How It Happened
- Queens and the backline kept Molloy in check as the home side was unable to land a shot on goal, while the Knights outshot the Lions 7-2 in the first half.
- After a quiet period of play, freshman Leonel Zelaya (Amityville, N.Y.) shot in the 30th minute would get blocked.
- But the ball would land in the foot of sophomore Tobias Holtz (Sachseln, Switzerland) who blasted a cross to Tagios allowing the East Williston native to complete the pass into the top right corner to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute of play.
- With the Knights still threatening to double their advantage, Lions goalie Nick Conklu shut out the next two Knights shots on goal.
- Queens continued the momentum in the second half but would run into a stubborn Conklu to keep the Knights at a 1-0 advantage.
- After an untested first half, junior goalie Dario Cruz (Guadalajara, México ) and his defense were tested in the second half.
- In the final 10 minutes play, Molloy increased their pressure on the Queens defense.
- Cruz would deny Jesse Schleeper in the 80th minute before Holtz shot on the counterattack stayed wide.
- Schleeper would get another shot in the 86th minute but Cruz was up to the task and earn his second conference shutout of the season as the Knights held on for a 1-0 win Saturday night.
By the Numbers
- Both sides were even on shots with 11 attempts but the Knights held a 4-3 shots on goal advantage.
- Tagios and Holtz had a match-high three shots, while Milton Sionakides (Astoria, N.Y.) had a team-high two shots on goal.
- Cruz made three saves on the night and earned his third shutout of the season.
Head Coach Frank Vertullo Post Game Comment: "Obviously that's a big win for us being that Molloy was undefeated in the conference and in first place. We struggled the last couple of games with injuries and a lot of starters being out, but we got most of everybody back today and it was probably our most complete game of the season. Fighting for a playoff spot several players really stepped up tonight. I'm very proud of the boys and how they performed in front of a fantastic crowd tonight. Now we have an entire week to get prepared for Roberts Wesleyan."
UP NEXT: The Knights will finally play host in one of two games this season as Roberts Wesleyan Comes to town on Saturday (Oct. 16). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. in Central Islip, N.Y. at The Susa Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex.
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