UNION, N.J. (9/27/14) – The Kean University men's soccer team scored two goals in each half on its way to a 4-0 NJAC win over The College of New Jersey on Saturday. The Cougars are now 6-3-1 and 1-1 in the NJAC, while TCNJ fell to 3-6-2 and 0-3 in the league.
In the early first half, Sevag Kherlopian took the ball all the way into the six-yard box in the 13th minute, but the TCNJ goalkeeper smothered the scoring chance for the Lions. A few minutes later Kherlopian again tried the deep left side, but his close-range shot was blocked down again.
With 20 minutes to go before the break, Kevin Olaya had a great chance at the top of the box but it was spoiled by TCNJ goalie Maciej Libucha's fingertips to keep the game scoreless. The Lions also had a good chance during the opening stretch, as one of their shots smacked solidly into the crossbar early on.
Later on in the first, Robert Barrera sent a long, leading pass to Kherlopian up right right side this time. The pass into the zone put the freshman in behind every Lion defender. Kherlopian beat the goalie on the far side, hit the left post with his shot and banked it off the pole for the first Cougar goal, his third of the season.
In the 42nd minute, Kean earned a penalty kick on the outskirts of the box on a TCNJ penalty. Olaya took the PK and converted it to double the Kean lead to 2-0 at halftime. It was his fourth goal of the year and second is as many games.
The second half's best scoring chance for either team came with 16 minutes to go. The Lions got deep in Kean territory, and a deflection in front was dangerous but goalie Brad Watkins got a piece of it to keep the ball out.
Within minutes of each other, Kean scored twice more to put the game on ice. First, freshman Michael Vargas corralled the ball on a broken play close to the Lion net. He fired a shot that was slowed by the keeper but trickled out of his hands and across the goalline for his Vargas' first collegiate goal. Moments later, Steven Zamudio fired a hard shot at the cage that was saved, but the fat rebound came right to Kenny Rocha who put it back in easily. Zamudio was credited with an assist on the play.
Watkins earned his second-straight shutout win by posting five saves on the day.
The Cougars will remain at home to take on NJAC Rival New Jersey City University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. under the lights at Alumni Stadium. The game was originally scheduled to take place on the East Campus.
