ROCHESTER, N.Y. – In another physical game Saturday afternoon which saw a combined 35 fouls, seven yellows, and two red cards, it was the Queens College men's soccer team who would leave Roberts Soccer Stadium victorious as the Knights defeated the Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks 1-0 in East Coast Conference play.
Freshman
David Oprea's (Oslo, Norway) third goal of the season would prove to be enough as the Knights improved to 7-3 overall, 3-1 in conference action.
It was the Redhawks who tallied the first shot on goal of the game but senior goalie
Dario Giovanni Cruz (Guadalajara, México) was up to the task in the second minute of the game to deny the home side.
From there onwards, it would be all Queens as the visitors started to apply pressure. Oprea's shot in the third minute of the game would go out left before junior
Leo Pinto's (Forest Hills, N.Y.) shot went out top.
A dangerous tackle by the Redhawks in the 18
th minute of play would result in a red card leaving the home side with 10 men on the field for the remainder of the game.
As the Redhawks were unable to clear the ball in their defensive half, a through ball from Pinto from eight yards out to Oprea would allow the rookie to beat the Redhawks goalie through his left side for a 1-0 lead in the 23
rd minute of play.
Queens would outshoot Roberts 4-3 as the Knights went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The Knights would control the game in the second half as Cruz and his defense allowed no shots on goal for the remainder of the contest as they earned their seventh overall and third conference victory of the season.
Match Highlights
- Oprea netted his third goal and second game-winner of the season.
- Pinto tallied his team-leading third assist of the season.
- All three assists have resulted in Oprea's goals including two game-winners.
- In goal, Cruz made one save on the afternoon.
- With the win, Cruz earned his fourth overall shutout of the season.
- Cruz tallied his 15th career win in goal to tie the program record 15 wins with Sean Geoghegan (2012-13).
- Cruz is second on the All-Time Career Record books in shutouts with eight.
- The Knights outshot the Redhawk 7-6 (2-1 shots on goal).
UP NEXT: Head coach
Frank Vertullo and his Knights return to non-conference action Tuesday (Sept. 27) evening as they welcome the Lions of Georgian Court University to QC Soccer Field. 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).
