PHILADELPIA, PA. – Opening a season-high three-match road stand, the Queens College men's soccer team traveled to Holy Family University for a non-conference contest Wednesday evening.
After a scoreless first half, sophomore
Carlos Villa scored his first goal of the season to give the Knights a 1-0 lead, but the Tigers responded with two unanswered goals to defeat Queens, 2-1.
The Knights move to 1-1-1 on the season.
MATCH RECAP
Queens dictated the pace of play in the opening 45 minutes, outshooting the Tigers 10-3, including an 8-1 advantage in shots on target.
Sophomore
Marko Borovic led the Knights with three shots on target in the opening 15 minutes, but each attempt was denied by the Tigers' goalkeeper.
Holy Family recorded its first shot of the contest in the 21st minute, but the attempt was blocked before Queens regained control of play.
Senior
Keithlend Cesar recorded back-to-back shots in the 23rd and 25th minutes, but both attempts were denied by the Tigers' goalkeeper as the home side kept the contest scoreless.
With Queens continuing to apply pressure, the Holy Family defense remained firm and frustrated the visitors.
Senior goalkeeper
Thanasis Shehadeh recorded his first save of the contest in the 35th minute to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard, while a Holy Family shot in the 37th minute was blocked.
The Knights recorded four more shots before halftime, but neither side could break through as the contest remained scoreless at the break.
Queens picked up where it left off to begin the second half, outshooting the Tigers 2-1 during the opening 15 minutes.
In the 62nd minute, a foul on Holy Family gave the Knights a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Villa stepped up to take the attempt and beat the two-man wall as his left-footed shot slipped through the defenders and past the Tigers' goalkeeper near the right post to give Queens a 1-0 lead.
Holy Family responded in the 78th minute, converting a set piece to level the contest at 1-1.
Queens continued to maintain possession as the Knights searched for a second goal.
After the Tigers denied sophomore
Bradyn Brown a potential game-winning goal, Holy Family quickly went on the counterattack and earned a penalty kick in the 85th minute. The Tigers converted from the spot to take a 2-1 lead.
The Knights were held to two shots over the final six minutes as Holy Family handed Queens its first loss of the season, 2-1.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Holy Family 21-11, including a 12-3 advantage in shots on target.
- Borovic, Cesar and Brown combined for 10 shots, including eight on target.
- Villa scored his first goal of the season and the second of his collegiate career.
NEXT MATCH
Queens remains on the road Saturday as the Knights travel to East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, for a non-conference contest against East Stroudsburg University. Kickoff is set for 1:00 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), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), and Instagram (qcknightsny), men's soccer (qcmsoccer).
