Sept. 19, 2011

Box Score

MADISON, N.J. - By the law of averages, if a team continues to produce quality scoring chances, sooner or later one is bound to find the back of the net.

Or at least that is what the Lightning men's soccer team is hoping after suffering its second consecutive shutout loss, this time 2-0 to host FDU-Florham on a cool night in northern New Jersey.

Lehman's latest scoreless effort comes after the Lightning was shut out 1-0 by SUNY Canton last Friday.

However, as was the case against the Kangaroos, it was not because the Lightning was stifled by the defense of its opponent. In fact, Lehman had two golden chances near the end of the opening half.

The first came in the 31st minute when a nicely played cross by Assami Valian to Carlos Ribeiro resulted in Ribeiro being turned away by Devils keeper Tim Kirk. The second came with just under three minutes to play with Kirk again playing the role of spoiler as he made a spectacular play to tip a Lehman header over the crossbar.

Frustration continued for the Lightning 12 minutes in the second half when Geovanny Arredondo, having come off the bench earlier in the match, fired a left-footed rocket in mid-gallop with a defender on his hip, only to have Kirk tip his shot wide.

Allowed to hang around, FDU finally cashed in during the 70th minute when a throw-in by Sean Mosser was headed in by Brian Nazari after it took a high bounce over Lightning keeper Marcos Coto-Batres. The goal inspired a Devils team that had up to that point been stymied by the physical defense and crisp passing of the Lightning.

Less than four minutes later, FDU struck again, this time on a goal by Emin Matezic, who took advantage of a defensive misplay in front of the Lehman net for the easy putaway and 2-0 lead.

The majority of its non-conference schedule now complete save for the season's final two matches, the Lightning will next turn its attention to the City University of New York Athletic Conference as the team plays six consecutive conference opponents beginning with Medgar Evers on Wednesday night.

Another chance to break through on the scoreboard awaits.