Flushing, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Soccer team saw its five-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday evening, with a 2-1 setback to Queens College at the QC Varsity Soccer Field.
STAC falls to 5-3-2 overall and 4-1 in ECC action, while Queens improves to 9-1-2 and 4-0-1.
Harry Cooke and Kevin Johnson each tallied goals for the Knights, as goalkeeper Thanasis Shehadeh (W, 9-1-2) turned away one of two shots faced to earn the win.
Meanwhile, Joaquim Cardoso scored the lone goal for the Spartans, with teammate Niek de Jong providing the assist. Keeper Ryan-Robert Ndje (1-1) made five stops on seven shots for St. Thomas Aquinas in almost 74 minutes of action. Dante Muntane replaced Ndje for the final 16 minutes of play, and turned aside both shots sent his way.
HOW IT HAPPENED
4th Minute: An offensive rush by the Knights saw Miguel Soto Gonzalez send a high shot into box, which was subsquently headed by teammate Bradyn Brown to the foot of Harry Cook for the right-footed blast past Ryan-Robert Ndje to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
39th Minute: Minutes before halftime, the Spartans would knot things up at one goal apiece courtesy of Joaquim Cardoso's rebound header to the back of the onion bag, following an initial shot attempt by Niek de Jong that was stopped by Thanasis Shehadeh.
54th Minute: Off of a Queens throw-in and a failed clear by the STAC defense, Kevin Johnson was able to put one by Ndje with help from Bradyn Brown to put the Knights ahead for good at 2-1.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Queens outshot St. Thomas Aquinas, 14-11 with the Knights putting the ball on frame 10 times and the Spartans reaching the goal four times.
- STAC earned a slim 3-2 advantage on corner kicks over Queens.
- Jorge De La Vibora registered a team-high four shots, with two going on frame.
- The teams were whistled for 29 total fouls (16-13 Queens), 10 total yellow cards (five apiece) and a red card (STAC).
UP NEXT
St. Thomas Aquinas returns to the Spartan Field on Wednesday, October 15 to face Franklin Pierce University in a 12:00 p.m. non-conference tilt.