STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – In a closely contested East Coast Conference game, the Queens College men's soccer team picked up their first ECC win of the season with a 1-0 victory over fellow CUNY member College of Staten Island Dolphins at Dolphin Soccer Park. 
 
After a scoreless first half, freshman Daniel Camara (Madrid, Spain) scored the lone goal of the game in the second half to lead the Knights to victory over the Dolphins. 
 
With the win, the Knights improved to 5-2 overall, 1-1 in ECC, while the Dolphins moved to 1-5 overall, 0-2 in conference play. 
 
How It Happened

• Once again the Knights' defense was tested early as the Dolphins threaten to open the scoring but junior goalie Dario Cruz (Guadalajara, México) was up to the task. 
• Sophomore Thomas Esperoe (Bomlo, Norway) would put the first Knights shot on goal but only to be denied by Dolphins goalie Bougary Sissoko. 
• Sissoko stood firm in the first half as he would deny sophomore Nicholas Tagios (East Williston, N.Y.) and freshman Leonel Zelaya (Amityville, N.Y.) shots on goal in the final seven minutes of the first half. 
• Queens made adjustments in the second half but Sissoko continued to keep the game scoreless.
• After Cruz denied Dolphins Brian Kerilu a goal in the 69^th minute, the Knights counterattack leading to another Knights' set piece. 
• Camara would give the Knights a 1-0 lead as Esperoe headed an assist to the Madrid native to beat Sissoko on his left side in the 70^th minute. 
• The Knights defense stood firm in the remaining 20 minutes of the game allowing only one more shot from the Dolphins to earn their first ECC win of the season. 

By the Numbers

• Cruz made another four saves on the day to finish 2-0 on the week.
• Camara tallied his first game-winner as the defender scored his first goal of the season. 
• Tagios attempted a team-high two shots on goal, while three other Knights had a shot on goal on the day.
• Both sides attempted eight shots, but the Knights held 5-4 shots on goal margin.  

Head Coach Frank Vertullo Post Game Comment: "That was a hard-fought win against a quality conference opponent.  We executed when we needed to and defensively, we stood strong.  Dario came up big for us again. There were so many freshmen on the field, this is going to be a rivalry for years to come. "
 
UP NEXT: The Knights continue ECC play with a trip to Sparkill, N.Y. with a match-up against the Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas College Wednesday afternoon. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.
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