Ewing, N.J. (10/15/11) – The College of New Jersey scored two goals late in the second half to break a two-all tie and defeat the Kean University men's soccer team, 4-2, Saturday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half, TCNJ (5-6-4) opened up a 2-0 lead quickly after the intermission. Ed Kozic headed home a terrific cross from Sean Casey to open the scoring. Just under six minutes later, Chris Pisano took a flick from Luigi Moriello and redirected a shot past the keeper for his second goal of the season.
The Cougars (8-5-2) battled back as junior Abner Denis (pictured left) converted a penalty kick at the 57:08 mark. With just under 20 minutes remaining in regulation, freshman Sebastian Zapata hit a first-time volley off a long cross from Brian Reina to tie the score at two.
Kean nearly took the lead in the 75th minute when freshman Erickson Simeon got behind the defense. He went in one-on-one with junior goalkeeper Adam Friedman and Friedman came up with a clutch, sliding save to keep the game tied.
Moments later, Pisano tallied his second score of the game when he headed in a cross from Moriello to regain the lead 3-2 with 14:28 remaining.
Casey then fed Michael Recchia from the left side, and the senior ripped a low shot into the left-hand corner for his second goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Aaron Utman and Friedman combined for the win in goal. Utman had four saves in the first half and Friedman stopped three shots in the second period. Kean's Brian Haines had a pair of saves in goal.
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Ursinus College.
