FLUSHING, N.Y. – Opening a Six-game homestand Tuesday evening, the Queens College men's soccer team used an early second-half goal to defeat the visiting Lions of Georgian Court University in non-conference action at the QC Soccer Field.
Freshman
Finlay Armond (Sleaford, England) tallied his first collegiate goal, while senior goalie
Dario Giovanni Cruz (Guadalajara, México) helped the Knights earn their fifth shutout victory of the season as the Knights improved to 8-3 overall on the season.
It was all Queens in the first half as the Knights outshot the Lions 4-2 as they dominated possession.
Despite a slow first half it was the Knights who would tally the first three shots of the game but were unable to the back of the net.
After a free kick landed the visitors a set piece, the Lions shot would get blocked in the 41
st minute. With two minutes remaining until halftime, freshman
Santiago Vargas (Bethpage, N.Y.) shot on goal would get swallowed by the Lions' goalie as the ball stuck between his legs to deny the opening goal of the game.
Queens would kick off the second half with the ball and quickly went to work. With junior
Leo Pinto (Forest Hills, N.Y.) and sophomore
Nicolas Cifuentes Diaz (East Hampton, N.Y.) dribbling past the Lions' defenders in the attacking half, Armond would complete a pass from Pinto in the middle of the 18-yard box as the rookie right foot blast found the top right corner a 1-0 lead four minute into the second half.
Having taken the lead, Queens continued to press the defense. After earning a corner kick, sophomore
Jose Mendez's(Queens, N.Y.) header off the set piece just missed as the ball sailed through the top in the 52
nd minute of play.
With the Knights looking dangerous, two shots on goals by Armond shot would get blocked by the Lions goalie as the visitors kept the game at 1-0.
Queens would tally four shots on goal as they looked to close out the game but the Lions goalie would continue to deny the Knights every time.
In a game where the Knights' midfield and defense kept the Lions out of their attacking half, a misplay by the Knights allowed the Lions to counterattack as a foul would give the visitors a set piece in the final 17 seconds of the game.
Georgian Court would get the final shot of the game off a free kick, however, the lone shot on goal would be denied by Cruz as the senior goalie made a diving save to his left to earn his fifth shutout of the season.
Match Highlights
- Armond tallied his first collegiate goal and game-winner of the season.
- Pinto tallied his team-leading fourth assist of the season.
- In goal, Cruz made one save on the afternoon.
- With the win, Cruz earned his fifth overall shutout of the season.
- Cruz tallied his 16th career win in goal to overtake the program record of 15 wins compiled by Sean Geoghegan (2012-13).
- Cruz is now tied on the All-Time Career Record books in shutouts with nine with Geoghegan.
- The Knights outshot the Lions 11-5 (6-1 shots on goal).
UP NEXT: Head coach
Frank Vertullo and his Knights return to East Coast Conference action Saturday (Oct. 1) evening as they welcome the defending champions Lions of Molloy University to QC Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 5:00 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).
