The Fairleigh Dickinson men’s soccer team got back to its winning ways with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over winless Manhattan Friday night in a steady rain shower at University Stadium in Teaneck, NJ.  With the victory, the Knights improve to 4-2-1 on the season, while the Jaspers fall to 0-6-0 overall.

With the game tied at one to start the second half, freshman #Nico Wright# found junior #Jack McVey# who found the back of the net to give the Knights a 2-1 lead which they would never relinquish.  The goal was McVey’s second of the season and his second game-winner.

The Jaspers quieted everyone early in the match as they scored in the first 20 seconds as Tommy Amos slipped the ball through a group of Knights’ defenders to Eugene Heerschapp.  Heerschapp then fired a shot that deflected off the right post to beat FDU sophomore goalkeeper #Jacob Lissek# to give Manhattan a stunning 1-0 lead.

After the wakeup call, the Knights went to work, playing most of the first half down in the Jaspers’ side of the field.  In the 10^th minute of the match, sophomore #Jonathan Gonzalez# delivered the ball to freshman #Miguel Escobar# who fired a shot from the top of 18 yard line that ricocheted off the left post past Jaspers’ keeper George Ellis to knot the game at one.  The goal was the first of Escobar’s career.

The Knights, who outshot the Jaspers, 12-3, over the first 45 minutes had numerous opportunities to score in the first half but could not convert. 

In the first 58 seconds of the second half, McVey put the Knights ahead for good with his goal.

Once again, FDU had numerous opportunities to extend its lead but failed to find the back of the net.  With a little under three minutes remaining in the match, Manhattan had an opportunity to tie the game with three consecutive shots right in front of the net, but Lissek and his defense was able to turn away all three shots in the mayhem to allow the Knights to escape with the 2-1 victory.

The Knights outshot the Jaspers, 10-5, in the second half and 22-8 for the game.  Out of those 22 shots, 10 were on goal. 

Lissek picked up his fourth victory of the season in net, while making two saves.  Ellis turned away eight shots for the Jaspers between the pipes.

FDU has a week off and returns to action next Friday, Sept 30, to open Northeast Conference play at Saint Francis PA.  Kick-off in Loretto, PA is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.