RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Felician Men's Soccer opened conference play with a 2-0 shutout over Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Holy Family University at Tryon Field Sunday evening. 

Let's take a look back at November 2022 when the Golden Falcons 2022 season ended in Philadelphia, P.A., at the CACC Quarterfinals against the No. 2 seed Tigers, when the hosts battled back from a 1-0 deficit to shut down the Golden Falcons, 2-1, to advance in playoffs. 

Tonight had a little bit of a different result as Felician shut out the visiting squad to claim its first conference win of the 2023 season. Andy Alvarez sparked the green-and-gold momentum as he booted the ball into the top right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead. After the go ahead goal, the first half remained uneventful as both keepers recorded one save each while Felician out shot the Tigers 5-4. 

Despite the low shooting first half, both squads scrambled to put the ball in the back of the net; the Tigers put on 10 shots while Felician recorded 12. By the 72-minute, a Felician player collided with the Tiger goalie inside the box for a penalty kick opportunity to continue to edge its opposer. With Salvador Rang (Doorn, Netherlands) in position, the red-shirt senior snuck it past the keeper for the 2-0 lead and ultimately the win. 

Alvarez and Rang both recorded a goal for the green-and-gold and Rang also recorded an assist in the contest. Massimo Girardi (Rome, Italy) and Lorenzo Ferrari (Palestro, Italy) recorded three shots each while Erick Aguiar (Praia, Cape Verde), and Tim Jaeger (Schwalmtal, Germany) had 2. Emanuele Moretti (Rome, Italy) recorded the shut out win in goal with seven saves. 

The Golden Falcons improve to 2-1-1 overall and 1-0 in the CACC. The squad will continue conference play on Wednesday when they face Dominican (N.Y.) University in Orangeburg, N.Y. at 3:30pm.