Queens, N.Y. – Behind an outstanding defensive effort and superb offensive rush by
Matthew Lewis and
Janos Loebe, the Fordham men's soccer team posted its first win of the 2017 season, defeating the St. John's Red Storm, 1-0, at Belson Stadium on Friday night.
With the win, Fordham evens its record at 1-1-1, while St. John's fell to 1-2-0. It was Fordham's first win over St. John's since 1990.
Fordham played a solid control game, outshooting St. John's, 7-1, in the first half, but unfortunately
Janos Loebe tracks down a lose ball.
weren't rewarded in a scoreless first half.
The Rams would however capitalize in the second half in the 68
th minute.
Connor DeFilippis started the scoring play in the midfield, and played a ball forward, down the right side to
Matthew Lewis. Lewis, jumping into the play from his center back position, played the ball into the box, as two defenders and the St. John's goalkeeper converged on the ball. As the defender attempted to clear the ball, Lewis deflected the ball back in front of the net, where Fordham's
Janos Loebe was all alone. After a touch for control, Loebe hammered the ball into the open net past a sprawling defender on the goal line for his first marker of the season.
St. John's desperately looked for the equalizer over the final 22 minutes, flor the Fordham defense held tough, as they blocked three shots over that stretch, while Fordham netminder
Rashid Nuhu made one of his two saves in the game in the 71
st minute.
With two saves, Nuhu recorded his second shutout of the season, while Andrew Withers made five saves for St. John's.
The Fordham men's soccer team will next be in action on Monday, September 4
th, when the Rams play at Columbia for a 4:00 PM contest.
