BUFFALO, N.Y. – Opening East Coast Conference play on the road, the Queens College men's soccer team matched up against the Saints of D'Youville University at Dobson Field Saturday afternoon.
In a game that was dominated by the Knights, rookie
David Oprea's (Oslo, Norway) lone goal proved to be the difference maker as Queens opened ECC play on a high note with a 1-0 victory over D'Youville.
With the win, Queens improved to 4-2 overall, 1-0 in ECC play.
Oprea and the Knights went on the offense early and never let up. The rookie from Norway notched the first two shots of the game in the first 11 minutes of play before freshman
Santiago Vargas's (Bethpage, N.Y.) shot was denied in the 13
th minute.
The Knights would outshoot the home side 9-2 but both sides would go into halftime with the game scoreless.
After the Saints opened the second half with a shot on goal only to be denied by an alert senior goalie
Dario Giovanni Cruz (Guadalajara, México) in the 48
th minute, it was Queens who did the damage on the other end.
As freshman
Kevin Johnson (Oakdale, N.Y.) won the free ball in the air, junior
Leo Pinto (Forest Hills, N.Y.) and his speed made the D'Youville defense pay with a timely cross for Oprea to put the game-winner away for his second goal of the season in the 51
st minute.
Crus and his defense would hold on to the win as the Knights maintained the majority of the possession for the remainder of regulation for their first shutout of the season.
Match Highlights
- Oprea netted his first game-winner and second goal of the season.
- Pinto tallied his second assist of the season.
- In goal, Cruz made three saves on the afternoon.
- The Knights held a 17-6 shots margin (5-3 shots on goal).
- With the win over the Saints, the Knights improve their record to 2-0 against D'Youville.
- For the first time since Queens defeated UDC 3-2 during the 2018 season, the Knights open ECC play 1-0.
UP NEXT: Head coach
Frank Vertullo and his Knights return to non-conference play as they travel to New Haven, CT Wednesday (Sept. 14) evening against the Owls of Southern Connecticut State University. Kickoff is set for 7:00 P.M.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), Twitter (@QCKnights), and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's soccer (qcmsoccer).
