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Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Athletics

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MSOC recap 10/3
Sherry Saccoliti
3
DeSales DSU (5-4-1, 0-1-0)
4
Winner FDU-Florham FDU (4-1-3, 1-0-0)
DeSales DSU
(5-4-1, 0-1-0)
3
Final
4
FDU-Florham FDU
(4-1-3, 1-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
DeSales DSU 1 2 3
FDU-Florham FDU 1 3 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Gancio Plays Hero as Men's Soccer Wins Thriller Over DeSales

MADISON, N.J. – In a match the featured nine total cautions, one red card, and a Vincenzo Gancio hat trick, the FDU-Florham men's soccer team outlasted DeSales and defeated the Bulldogs 4-3 in full-time Saturday afternoon at home. 

DEVILS HIGHLIGHTS
  • Gancio recorded his first career hat trick as all three of his shots on goal found the back of the net.
  • Jason Balbuena added a goal of his own on his third penalty kick goal this season. 
  • Christian Adame, Branden Ferreira, Jeremy Meza, and Matthew Torres all contributed an assist each. 
  • Freshman goalkeeper Donovan Ford tallied three saves on the day. 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Just like FDU's previous match against Gwynedd Mercy, the Devils controlled the opening minutes of the match as FDU had four straight shots, but none on frame. Then, in the 13', DeSales' Omar Ferre found the back of the FDU net to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. 
  • FDU answered less than four minutes later as Gancio netted his first goal of the day on a double assist from Meza and Torres to knot the match at 1-1. 
  • The score remained tied 1-1 through the end of the half. 
  • In the second half, the Bulldogs took a 2-1lead on a goal from Mike McCurry in the 53' and then followed it up with their third goal of the day on an unassisted shot from Abu Barrie to extend the DeSales lead to 3-1 in the 65'.
  • In the 71' Gancio notched his second goal of the match on an assist from Christian Adame to cut the FDU deficit to 3-2. 
  • Then, in the 83', a handball in the box that prevented a Balbuena shot from tying the match led to a Devils PK in which Balbuena indeed found the back of the DeSales net to knot the match at 3-3. 
  • After Balbuena's game-tying PK goal, in the 86' Gancio played hero as the senior scored his third goal of the day on an assist from Ferreira and sealed FDU's 4-3 win to start MAC Freedom play 1-0. 
GAME NOTES
  • This is FDU's second consecutive 4-3 win
  • FDU produced a game-high 12 points on Saturday. 
  • The Devils four assists are the most in a match this season. 
  • Gancio's hat trick was FDU's first this season and first since Ryan Maguire had a hat trick in FDU's 6-5 win over Misericordia on Oct. 4, 2025. 
UP NEXT
The Devils return to the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 7 against Misericordia. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

For the latest on FDU-Florham Athletics, follow the Devils via social media (@FDUDevils) on X, Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. 
 
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