The Fairleigh Dickinson men’s soccer team started its 2011 season in dramatic fashion Friday night with a 2-1 overtime victory at home versus NJIT.  The Knights start the season 1-0-0, while the Highlanders being their season 0-1-0.

With 1:11 left in the first overtime period, sophomore #Jonathan Gonzalez# (Bloomfield,NJ/Bloomfield) found the back of the net off a beautiful corner kick by #Anders Vest-Hansen# (Nykobing, Denmark/Celf), who was credited with the assist on the play, to give the Knights the win.

In first half action, junior #Antony Moore# (Douglass, Isle of Man/St.Ninian’s), who was making his Knights’ debut, scored his first goal in a Knights uniform nearly 18 minutes into the game to give the home team a 1-0 lead.  Sophomore# Liam Cahill# (Whiting, NJ/Manchester Township) earned the assist on the play as his cross from the left side setup Moore’s goal.

NJIT scored the equalizer with a little over three minutes left in the first half as Luis Granizo ripped a shot from the top of the 18 yard line to tie the game at one.

In the second half, the Knights had three good opportunities where they could have taken the lead.  With 25 minutes left in the second half, sophomore #Michael Calderon# (San Jose, Costa Rica/CEI) thought he gave FDU a 2-1 lead with a goal but offsides was called to take away the score.

Twice within the last nine minutes, including with under a minute to go, junior #Jack McVey# (Douglass, Isle of Man/St. Ninian’s) twice delivered beautiful balls to his old high school mate Moore who just finished wide of the net.

In overtime, the Knights capitalized on the second of its two scoring opportunities.  Before Gonzalez’s game-winning goal, McVey almost gave the Knights’ the win against his former team with a header that just barely went over the crossbar. 

In goal, sophomore #Jacob Lissek# (Highlands Ranch, CO/Rock Canyon) was never really challenged much as he made three saves.  As a team, the Knights outshot the Highlanders, 21-8.  Nine of the shots were on goal.

FDU returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 1, when they travel to Annapolis, MD to participate in the Holiday Inn Express BWI Classic against Navy.  Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.