FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Queens College men's soccer team went 2-0 on the week, earning back-to-back victories over two regionally ranked opponents to improve to 4-1-1 on the season.
 
For the third consecutive week, head coach Frank Vertullo and the Knights are ranked in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll, moving into the Top 5 at No. 5 in the latest regional poll.
 
Through six matches, the Knights have recorded 16 goals, averaging 2.67 goals per contest while registering 15.5 shots per match.
 
Senior Keithlend Cesar has earned back-to-back East Coast Conference Honor Roll selections and leads the team with 11 points on four goals and three assists. Last week, Cesar led the way with a seven-point week, recording three goals and one assist in a 2-0 week for No. 7 Queens. Cesar opened the week with a career-best five points, recording his first career brace to go along with one assist as Queens defeated No. 6 Bridgeport Wednesday evening. Against No. 10 Georgian Court, Cesar recorded his third goal of the week as Queens defeated the Lions, 3-1, Saturday night.
 
Senior Anton Mand was named ECC Defensive Player of the Week. Mand helped No. 7 Queens post two victories over regionally ranked opponents. On Wednesday evening, Mand helped the Knights shut out No. 6 Bridgeport, holding the Purple Knights to seven shots and just one shot on goal in a 4-0 victory. Against No. 10 Georgian Court, Mand helped Queens earn a 3-1 victory as the Lions were held to seven shots on goal Saturday night.
 
Senior Andrew Johnson was named to the ECC Honor Roll. Matching up against two regionally ranked foes, Johnson recorded a five-point week with two goals and one assist in a 2-0 week for No. 7 Queens. Johnson opened the week with an assist in the Knights' victory over No. 6 Bridgeport Wednesday evening. Against No. 10 Georgian Court, Johnson recorded his first brace of the year to go along with his first game-winning goal as Queens defeated the Lions, 3-1, Saturday night.
 
For the third consecutive week, a Knights goalkeeper earned an ECC weekly honor, as sophomore Stian Haugland was named to the Honor Roll, earning back-to-back weekly honors. Haugland helped No. 7 Queens post two victories over regionally ranked foes. On Wednesday evening, Haugland and his backline helped the Knights earn a 4-0 shutout victory over No. 6 Bridgeport as the Purple Knights were held to one shot on goal. Against No. 10 Georgian Court Saturday night, Haugland recorded four saves in a tightly contested 3-1 victory in which both teams combined for 15 shots on goal.
 
The sophomore duo of Taro Aboubakary and Bradyn Brown have combined for three goals and five assists, totaling 11 points.
 
The Knights open the week against their fourth consecutive ranked opponent as they welcome No. 6 Wilmington University Wildcats to town for non-conference play before opening ECC play against defending champions Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks Saturday afternoon.

Wilmington University Preview

The Wildcats enter the week with an overall record of 2-2-1 and are coming off a 6-0 loss to Southern New Hampshire.
 
Wilmington is ranked No. 6 in the East Region.
 
Wednesday's meeting will mark the third all-time meeting between the two sides, with the all-time series tied at 1-1. Queens is looking for its first win over Wilmington since September 1, 2011, when the Knights earned a 5-1 victory at home.

Roberts Wesleyan University Preview

The Redhawks enter the week with an overall record of 1-2-2 and will match up against Georgian Court University on Wednesday before traveling to Flushing for the ECC opener.
 
Saturday's meeting will mark the 15th all-time meeting between the two sides, with Queens leading the series, 8-5-1. Last season, the Knights earned a 5-1 victory over the Redhawks to conclude the regular season before the two sides matched up in the ECC Final, with the winner decided in penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes of play.

NEXT WEEK OUTLOOK

Following Saturday's home contest, Queens concludes its homestand on Wednesday as the Knights host College of Staten Island in ECC play. Queens will conclude the week in Worcester, MA, in a non-conference tilt against Assumption University Saturday afternoon.

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).