FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their homestand Saturday night, the regionally ranked No. 4 Queens College men's soccer team, which is receiving votes in the national rankings, welcomed the Molloy University Lions to Knights Field for an East Coast Conference (ECC) matchup.
In a span of 34 seconds, seniors
Keithlend Cesar and
Andrew Johnson scored to give the Knights a 2-0 lead in the ninth minute. However, the Lions responded with goals in the 48th and 65th minutes to even the score. Both defenses held firm over the final 25 minutes, limiting scoring opportunities as the teams battled to a 2-2 draw in cold conditions.
With the draw, Queens improves to 10-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in ECC play.
Prior to the contest, head coach
Frank Vertullo and the Knights honored their graduating seniors during the team's annual Senior Day ceremony.
MATCH RECAP
The Knights controlled the tempo in the first half and wasted little time looking to score, as Cesar's shot just 47 seconds into the contest was saved by the Molloy goalkeeper.
In the fourth and sixth minutes, Johnson recorded two shots, with the first sailing wide of the left post and the second being blocked by the Lions' defense.
In the ninth minute, sophomore
Carlos Villa unleashed a shot from 25 yards out, but the Molloy goalkeeper made a diving save to deny the attempt and concede a corner kick.
Cesar capitalized on the ensuing corner kick, scoring directly from the right side for an Olimpico goal to put Queens ahead, 1-0.
Just 34 seconds later, junior
Kleverson Bolanos set up Johnson, who fired a right-footed shot into the left side of the net to extend the Knights' lead to 2-0.
Queens held Molloy without a shot in the first half while recording nine shots, including four on target, to carry a two-goal advantage into halftime.
The Lions wasted little time getting back into the contest, scoring off a corner kick in the 48th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Senior goalkeeper
Thanasis Shehadeh made a save in the 50th minute to deny Molloy the equalizer as Queens looked to extend its lead.
Johnson sent a shot wide of the right post in the 55th minute before Cesar put an attempt on target in the 59th minute, only for the Molloy goalkeeper to make the save.
Molloy eventually found the equalizer in the 65th minute, leveling the contest at 2-2.
Looking to restore the Knights' lead, senior
Anton Mand unleashed a shot from 18 yards out in the 66th minute, but the Molloy goalkeeper made another save to keep the score even.
Over the final 20 minutes, both defenses limited scoring opportunities, and shots on goal were scarce.
For the second consecutive contest, Queens looked for a late winner, with senior
Maddox Behnfeldt sending a header narrowly wide of the goal. Neither side found the decisive goal, as the Knights and Lions settled for a 2-2 draw and shared the points in the ECC standings.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Molloy 19-7 and held a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal.
- Cesar recorded his sixth goal of the season, bringing his season total to 16 points.
- Johnson recorded his third goal of the season, bringing his season total to 10 points.
- Bolanos recorded his fourth assist of the season, bringing his season total to eight points.
- Shehadeh made two saves in the contest.
NEXT MATCH
Queens opens a two-match road swing on Wednesday, Oct. 21, as the Knights travel to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., to face the Mercy University Mavericks in ECC play. Kickoff is set for 2:30 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), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's soccer (qcmsoccer).
