Men's Soccer Posts 2-0 Exhibition Win Over LIU

Aug. 21, 2010

Photo Gallery  | LIU Highlights & Interviews

Bronx, N.Y. - After five days of training, the Fordham men's soccer team saw their first preseason action on Saturday in an exhibition game against the LIU Blackbirds, posting a 2-0 shutout on Jack Coffey Field.

LIU got the first scoring chance of the game off a free kick in the ninth minute, but Rams' goalkeeper Ryan Meara was able to deflect the ball away, keeping the game scoreless.

In the 24th minute, Fordham got on the board for a 1-0 lead. John Niyonsaba started the play on the right side of the box, knocking a cross to Julian Nagel on the left side of the net. Nagel then chipped a ball toward goal, which Tim Richardson back-heeled into the goal for a 1-0 lead.

John Niyonsaba had a goal and an assist against LIU.

Just six minutes later, the Rams made it 2-0 on a long ball connection between Michael Valencia and Niyonsaba. Getting the ball in the defensive backfield, about 15 yards shy of midfield, Valencia knocked a long ball to Niyonsaba in the middle of the offensive end. Niyonsaba was then able to fight off a defender and chip a shot over the oncoming LIU goalkeeper from 25 yards.

The Rams just missed making it 3-0 in the second half, as in the final minutes, Casper Gimand connected on a header in the box, but LIU's Ryan Hoffner was able to haul in the save.

Fordham kept the sheet clean as Meara and Jon Bratincevic posted a combined shutout. Meara played about 62 minutes, making one save, while Bratincevic also made one save in the final 28 minutes.

The Fordham men's soccer team will have their final exhibition game on Friday, August 27th, when they play at Iona, beginning at 5:00 PM.

Scoring - Fordham - 1st Goal - Tim Richardson (Julian Nagel, John Niyonsaba) - 23:16, 2nd Goal - John Niyonsaba (Michael Valencia) - 29:57.