Video Highlights 

WAYNE, N.J. – Freshman forward Jake Dufner (Lakehurst, N.J./Central Regional) struck in the 77th minute, lifting the William Paterson men's soccer team (1-0) to a 1-0 season-opening home victory against St. Joseph's-Long Island (0-1) Sept. 1.
 
A ball was played from the deep right flank that senior forward Fabian Allen (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) ran on to and fired a shot that was stopped by Golden Eagle goalkeeper Avery Gomez. Dufner ran onto the loose ball near the goal line, knocking it in for the night's only goal.
 
Both teams had quality chances, the first coming for SJLI 18 minutes into the contest when freshman forward Rayneri Ruiz bent a free kick from just outside the right corner of the box toward the right post, but WP freshman keeper Kyle Quigley (Columbus, N.J./Northern Burlington Regional) made a diving play to push the ball wide.
 
The Pioneers nearly cashed in during the 21st minute when sophomore back Zach Perez (Edison, N.J./Rutgers Prep) played a ball from the left flank that Siclari reached on the right wing, but his attempt was saved. Junior midfielder JP Gonzales (Paterson, N.J./Passaic County Tech) had a clean look with 12 minutes remaining in the first half, but saw his strike miss the outside of the left post.
 
A quick break up the middle left junior midfielder Dante Petrocelli (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury) alone 13 minutes into the second period, but Gomez charged out to snuff out the opportunity.
 
Quigley made three stops for the Pioneers, and Gomez finished with seven for SJLI.
 
Prior to the contest, William Paterson President Kathleen Waldron and a number of WP administrators were joined on the field by the Pioneer men's and women's soccer teams, cutting a ceremonial ribbon to officially open Pioneer Soccer Park. This summer, WP undertook a major renovation of the facility, replacing the grass surface with artificial turf, building new seating for approximately 300 spectators, installing a press box and replacing all fencing and netting at the facility. The major overhaul also included the paving and lighting of a path that runs from Pioneer Soccer Park to Pioneer Softball Field. In addition to benefitting the men's and women's soccer programs, the new Pioneer Soccer Park will also serve the entire student body as a location to be used for academic purposes, intramural programs and club sports practices.
 
The Pioneers will play at Wheaton (Mass.) Saturday, Sept. 3, at 1:00 p.m.
 
For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit http://www.wpupioneers.com and http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.