VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson men's soccer team (6-0-2) continued its hot start to the season, registering a 6-1 home victory against Baruch (0-4-1) Sept. 23 at Pioneer Soccer Park.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Bearcats struck first after a WP turnover was cashed in for a goal in the seventh minute.
• The Pioneers produced the equalizer nearly 10 minutes later when a free kick from outside the right end of the box hit a defender's hand, leading to a penalty kick. Senior Diego Navas (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) buried it to the right side of the frame for a 1-1 score.
• William Paterson took its first lead at the 18:29 mark when Navas streaked into the box and nudged the ball right to freshman Davide Zamuner (Piverone, Italy/Liceo Scientifico Statale A. Gramsci), who one-timed it off the inside of the right post for a 2-1 advantage.
• The Pioneers made it 3-1 in the 50th minute as Navas got on the end of a long ball played from midfield, and when he had the keeper exposed off his line, Navas touched it right to junior Dylan Nahas (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), who slotted it home to the middle of the frame.
• Senior Gianfranco Banca (Queens, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) cleaned up a bouncing ball off a corner kick, finishing an assist by sophomore Thomas Rogan (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) for a 4-1 margin in the 77th minute.
• Banca pushed it to 5-1 in the 83rd minute with his takeaway at midfield, sprint into the box and shot.
• WP finished the scoring with 2:14 remaining when Zamuner completed his brace off two quick passes by senior James Alain (Haledon, N.J./Passaic County Technical Institute) and freshman Yago Zarco (Plaza Reyes Magos, Spain/Santa María Del Pilar).

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sophomore Ryu McKinney (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) collected a season-best seven saves.
• Senior Delvin Nketia (New Brunswick, N.J./Montclair) made a sliding save at the back post to deny a Baruch goal in the 59th minute.
• Zamuner notched his third and fourth goals of the year, Nahas scored his second, and Banca registered his first two.
• Navas increased his season point total to 20 (7 g, 6 a).
• The eight-match unbeaten streak is the longest for WP to start a season since 2011, when the Pioneers were 7-0-1.

 
UP NEXT:

• William Paterson competes at Delaware Valley Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:00 p.m.

 
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