BRIDGEPORT, CT. – Wrapping up their roadstand Wednesday evening, the regionally ranked No. 7 Queens College men's soccer team faced regionally ranked No. 6 University of Bridgeport in a battle of the Knights at Knights Field.
Facing their third ranked opponent of the season, the Knights controlled the match from start to finish, scoring three first-half goals before adding another in the second half to earn a 4-0 shutout victory. Senior
Tommy Gunn recorded his third goal of the season and first game-winning goal, while senior
Keithlend Cesar posted a career-high five points with his first career brace. Sophomore
Marko Borovic added his first career goal as a Knight.
With the victory, Queens improves to 3-1-1 on the season.
MATCH RECAP
Bridgeport came out aggressively, recording two shots in the opening six minutes before its second attempt was blocked.
Queens quickly responded, earning a corner kick on the counterattack. Cesar delivered an outswinging cross to reigning East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Week Gunn, who blasted a right-footed shot from 16 yards into the net to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.
Queens continued to dictate possession and doubled its advantage in the 14th minute. Senior
Andrew Johnson laid the ball back to Cesar, who fired a left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper-left corner to make it 2-0.
The Knights maintained possession and continued applying pressure to the Bridgeport defense.
In the 30th minute, sophomore
Taro Aboubakary's shot sailed just over the upper-right corner as Queens nearly extended its lead.
Bridgeport recorded its first shot in nearly 25 minutes in the 33rd minute, but the Queens backline denied the Purple Knights and preserved the two-goal advantage.
Queens added another goal in the 37th minute after earning a free kick at the top of the 18-yard box. Borovic fired a shot toward the bottom-left corner to give the Knights a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Queens carried its intensity into the second half, with sophomore
Bradyn Brown forcing a save from the Bridgeport goalkeeper in the 53rd minute.
Cesar completed his brace in the 67th minute, belting a 25-yard shot into the net to put the match out of reach and give Queens a commanding 4-0 advantage.
The Queens backline held the home side without a shot on target for the remainder of the match as the Knights closed out a 4-0 shutout victory over the No. 6-ranked team in the East Region.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Bridgeport, 10-7, and held a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- Borovic and Cesar combined for a team-high five shots and three shots on target.
- Gunn recorded his third goal of the season and first game-winning goal.
- Cesar posted a career-high five points with his first career brace and team-leading third assist of the season.
- Borovic recorded his first career goal as a Knight.
- Johnson registered his second assist of the season.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Stian Haugland earned his second career victory and first shutout of the season.
- Queens earned its second straight victory over Bridgeport and its first road win against the Purple Knights since 2014.
NEXT MATCH
Queens opens a season-best four-match homestand Saturday, Sept. 12, welcoming Georgian Court University Lions to Knights Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 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).
