Box Score
WAYNE, N.J. – Facing a must-win situation in order to qualify for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Men’s Soccer Tournament, William Paterson (8-4-6, 2-2-5 NJAC) came through with a gritty 1-0 victory against visiting Richard Stockton (12-7-1, 4-4-1 NJAC) on Senior Night Oct. 29.
The sixth-seeded Pioneers will play at third-seeded Rowan in the NJAC Tournament first round Saturday, Oct. 31, at a time to be announced. The winner will advance to face second-seeded The College of New Jersey in the semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 4. Fourth-seeded Rutgers-Newark will host fifth-seeded Richard Stockton in the other first-round match Oct. 31, with the winner moving on to play at top-seeded Montclair State Nov. 4.
The Pioneers had two excellent chances during the first 30 minutes of the regular-season finale, including a rebound shot by
Matthew Heitmann (Westwood, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) in the box that he could not get on frame, and an
Ambrogio Pipitone (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) breakaway and blast that sailed just wide of the left post.
William Paterson converted its best opportunity with 14:20 remaining in the opening period, when sophomore
Anthony Ferrer (Lake Hiawatha, N.J./Parsippany) crossed the ball from the left end line and junior
Julian Valerio (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) volleyed it from the middle of the six-yard box and past Stockton keeper Lou Herring.
Richard Stockton threatened a handful of times during the contest, particularly late in the second period in an effort to get the equalizer. Pioneer goalkeeper
Dan Peragallo (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) came out to challenge Stockton’s Sean McCallum, and WP junior back
Chris Belan (Howell, N.J./Freehold Twp.) was able to knock the bouncing ball away from the goal mouth with 11:45 to play, and freshman Chris Hayman headed a ball just over the crossbar with less than three minutes remaining.
Peragallo had four saves, while Herring made five stops for Richard Stockton.
Prior to the match, William Paterson honored its two seniors, Peragallo and
Jonathan Donado (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley).