Box Score LYNDHURST, N.J. – The Felician University men's soccer team stayed even on the scoreboard with Franklin Pierce University for more than 60 minutes before eventually succumbing, 2-0, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex. Franklin Pierce (3-0) is ranked No. 3 in the most recent national NCAA Division II coaches' poll.
Felician senior goalkeeper George Hernandez (Paterson, N.J./PCTI) made three saves, including one from short range between FPU's goals to keep the Golden Falcons in contention.
While the Ravens controlled possession for much of the first half, the Felician defense was able to break up passes and force FPU into deep shots that were either blocked or missed the frame. Franklin Pierce amassed opening-period advantages of 14-1 in shots and 5-0 in corner kicks, but Hernandez was only called upon to make two saves to keep the game scoreless into the halftime break.
The match turned on a 63rd minute sequence. Felician took advantage of a rare opportunity to get forward. Freshman Ben Batson (Verona, N.J./Verona) dribbed to the right of the 18-yard box and got off a contested shot from a deep angle which was blocked by a Raven defender.
FPU quickly countered, eventually putting the ball at the feet of graduate student Jonas Cervera Anchel (Chiva, Spain/IES Mariana). He carried from just across midfield to the offensive third and crossed the ball mid-box to teammate Marco Valero (Alicante, Spain). Valero took a step onto the pass and beat Hernandez to break the scoreless deadlock at 62:45.
Hernandez preserved the one-goal deficit by stonewalling FPU leading scorer Braudillo Rodriguez (Lisbon, Portugal) on a 71st minute shot and breaking up a later 1 v. 1 situation. But with 3:11 remaining a pair of Ravens got free alone with Hernandez, with graduate striker Pedro Juan Vicente (Eiche, Spain) finding the net to secure the win.
FPU finished with a 21-3 edge in shots. Carlos Alonso (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain/Lycee Francais Jules Verne) got off one during each period for Felician (1-2).
After opening the season with three home matches, Felician travels to Stonehill College on Wednesday for a 3 p.m whistle in Easton, Mass.
