MADISON, N.J. (September 14, 2019) – Sophomore
Salvatore Vassallo registered his first career hat trick as the FDU men's soccer team used five second-half goals to top the City College of New York Saturday.
FDU improves to 2-2-1 on the season, as CCNY remains winless at 0-5.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Tiernan Grey was tested early, making a save 1:34 into the opening half. The Devils took the next five shots but were unable to even get a shot on target. FDU's best opportunity came 15 minutes in when junior
Billy Farnan moved in down the sideline. After getting passed the defense, Farnan's shot rang off the post. In the 24th minute, the visiting Beavers broke through for the game's opening tally.
The Devils pressed on, but the Beavers goalkeeper smothered shots by freshman
Oliver Trujillo and Vassallo. Despite holding a 13-6 edge in shots over the first 45 minutes, the Devils trialed 1-0 entering the break.
Sophomore
Jack Zaretsky had a header off a corner kick go just wide in the 53rd minute FDU hunted for an equalizing tally. Trujillo and Vassallo also had chances in the 65th and 66th minutes respectively, but the CCNY goalkeeper denied their shots.
In the 69th minute, the Devils persistence paid off. Trujillo sent in a corner kick that Vassallo was able to convert, leveling the contest at one. 3:36 later, the Devils took the lead for good. Sophomore
Michael Rosario found junior
Brandon McGregor, who tapped the ball in for his fifth marker of the season.
The Devils weren't done, scoring twice within a 30-second span to break the game open. Farnan got passed the defense down the sideline and sent a perfect pass to Vassallo who converted the chance. Off the restart, FDU gained possession and marched down the field, with Rosario finding graduate student
Anthony Pares. Pares ripped a low shot that keeper for his second goal of the year. With time ticking down, Vassallo completed the hat trick with a mere 12 seconds left on the clock.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- FDU outshot CCNY 32-11. The 32 shot attempts were a season-high.
- Vassallo recorded his second multi-goal game of the season. His other came last week against William Paterson University.
- With his two assists, Rosario took over the team lead with four helpers.
- Grey made six saves to earn the victory.
UP NEXT
The Devils will have a week off before returning to action next Saturday to take on Centenary University at 1 p.m.