The Ramapo College men’s soccer team secured a 4-2 victory against The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) on the road. The win improves their overall record to 7-2-3 and 2-1-1 in the conference play, TCNJ dropped to 1-9-4 overall and 1-2-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
Ramapo dominated the field early, scoring three goals in the first half. Kyle Allen tapped in a rebound off a save in the 16th minute, scoring his team leading 9th goal of the season. Gianfranco Ponce followed just three minutes later with a goal off a corner kick from Allen. Jack Hosmer added another goal in the 25th minute, converting a pass from Jake Szatkowski, pushing the lead to 3-0.
However, TCNJ fought back before halftime, scoring two back-to-back goals. Matias Hornos scored in the 39th minute, followed by Danny Hyde’s first goal of the season, assisted by Hornos, cutting the Ramapo lead to 3-2.
Ramapo sealed the game in the 55th minute when Ponce connected with Hosmer for his 7th goal of the season, for a 4-2 victory. Roadrunners finished the game with a 13-10 advantage in shots on goal, while TCNJ recorded eight corner kicks to Ramapo’s three. Goalkeeper Nikolai Matthews made seven saves to help secure the win, and TCNJ’s Colin Rentner posted nine saves.
Ramapo head coach, Damian Pinton, commented on the team’s effort, “I was really happy how we started the game especially after coming off a long bus ride for an early 12 p.m. match. The guys were very sharp on the ball, defended extremely well and utilized the scout to help give us an early 3 goal lead.”
Hosmer agreed with the coach, “It is always good to get a win, especially one in conference and away from home. Early in the second half we were under a lot of pressure. It was only 3-2 and our goalie Matthews came through with a couple important saves that kept the lead for us.”
The Roadrunners will return home on Oct. 16 to face New Jersey City University for a conference match at 7 p.m.
lkelyman@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @rcnjmenssoccer, Instagram
