Box score

Ewing, NJ ... A pair of spectacular goals by each team punctuated a well-played match as The College of New Jersey men's soccer team battled conference foe Richard Stockton College to a 1-1 (2OT) at Lions' Stadium.

The Lions (4-5-2, 3-1-1 NJAC) controlled most of regulation and both overtime periods, but the Ospreys (7-4-1, 2-2-1) evened the score late in the second half to earn a point in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings.

Senior Phil Cunha (Milford, NJ/Immaculata) gave TCNJ the lead nine minutes into the second half blistering a shot from 15 yards out. Cunha gained control of the ball just outside the left corner of the box, split a pair of defenders, and rifled a left-footed shot into the right-side pocket. It was the first goal of the season for Cunha and third of the defender's career. Two of those goals have come against the Ospreys.

Stockton returned the favor breaking through with a highlight reel goal of its own at the 79:20 mark. Freshman Ali Gocmez (Delran, NJ/Delran) flicked a throw-in to forward Rafael Duarte (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) in the box. Duarte, standing with his back to the goal 10 yards out, leaned back and flicked a shot out of the air over his shoulder and under the crossbar to tie the game 1-1. It was Duarte's team-leading sixth goal of the season.

The Lions had the better of the play, outshooting the Ospreys 20-5 on the night. They had several legitimate scoring chances late in the second half and both overtime periods, but could not capitalize to put the game away.

Stockton's size on the field created match-up problems for TCNJ, as every restart in the Osprey's offensive third posed a threat. The Lions backfield of sophomores Sean Cunneen (Landing, NJ/Roxbury), Vince McEnroe (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough), Ryan O'Donnell (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North), and Cunha did a great job keeping the Stockton big men in check.

TCNJ nearly took the lead in the opening half when sophomore Taylor Gregory (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) ripped a low shot towards the left corner at the 38:51 mark, but Osprey goalkeeper Tim Brett (Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra) stretched to his right to make the save. Junior Ray Nelan (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) created another great scoring opportunity when he raced down the left side and sent a crisp pass to Gregory 12 yards out. But Gregory could not get the shot off as the first half ended scoreless.

The Ospreys also had a great scoring chance at the 29:20 mark when Brian Thomsen (Brick, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) placed the ball on the foot of Duarte inside the 12-yard line. Duarte got a quick shot off but it just missed wide of the near post.

Sophomore Kevin Shaw (Brookside, NJ/West Morris Mendham) played well distributing the ball in the midfield for TCNJ, while Stockton's Sal Pistone (Blackwood, NJ/Highland) was tough in the midfield winning most balls out of the air that were in his region.

TCNJ goalkeeper Adam Friedman (Chester, NJ/West Morris Mendham) finished with a save, while Brett stopped five shots for the Ospreys.

The Lions return to TCNJ Soccer Complex on Saturday, October 9 when they square off against Berkeley College at 1 p.m. Richard Stockton hosts St. Mary's College of Maryland on Saturday at 3 p.m.