Box Score  

UNION, N.J. – William Paterson (13-3-2, 6-2-1 NJAC) scored twice in the final seven minutes, rallying for a dramatic 2-1 victory at Kean (8-10-2, 4-5 NJAC) in the men's soccer regular-season finale Oct. 27. With the win, the Pioneers secured the second seed for the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament, a first-round bye and a home semifinal contest Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 7:00 p.m. at Pioneer Soccer Park.

Third-seeded Ramapo will host sixth-seeded Kean in the first round Saturday, Oct. 30. The winner will advance to play at William Paterson Nov. 2. In the other first-round match, fourth-seeded Montclair State will host fifth-seeded Richard Stockton Oct. 30, with the winner playing at top-seeded The College of New Jersey Nov. 2. The highest remaining seed will host the championship match Friday, Nov. 5.

Despite being out-shot 10-4 in the first half, Kean was able to take a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute. Junior Dennis Correia took a corner kick for the Cougars that William Paterson goalkeeper Zach Collins (Bayville, N.J./Central Regional) tipped right to rookie Cortney Short in front of the goal for the 1-0 advantage.

Senior back Matthew Heitmann (Westwood, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) picked an opportune time for his first career goal, knocking in Julian Valerio's (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) direct kick from 50 yards out and knotting the contest at 1-1 with 6:59 remaining in the contest.

Less than five minutes later, Valerio sent a pass from right to left across the field that senior back Chris Belan (Howell, N.J./Freehold Twp.) lunged at to head past Alfredo Oquendo for the game winner with just 2:03 left on the clock.

The Pioneers held a 20-10 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. Collins made two saves for William Paterson, and Oquendo had seven for Kean.