MORRISTOWN, N.J. – The Saint Elizabeth University men's soccer team continued its early-season schedule with a pair of contests against FDU-Florham and Central Penn, showing offensive promise in a narrow setback to the Devils before returning home to face Central Penn.
Saint Elizabeth 2, FDU-Florham 3 – Sept. 9
The Eagles battled local rival FDU-Florham in a back-and-forth contest at Robert T. Shields Field, ultimately falling 3-2.
Saint Elizabeth struck first in the 12th minute when Tugay Bozogluer found the back of the net for his second goal of the season. Denzel Mezazeme and Brandon Quishpi combined to provide the assists on the opening goal.
FDU-Florham answered in the 35th minute to send the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The Eagles regained the advantage early in the second half. Zach Ahmed scored his first goal of the season in the 52nd minute off an assist from Bozogluer, putting Saint Elizabeth ahead 2-1.
The Devils responded with the equalizer in the 64th minute before scoring the deciding goal in the 87th minute to escape with the 3-2 victory.
Saint Elizabeth finished the afternoon with 10 shots, including three on goal. Bozogluer led the attack with a goal and an assist, while Ahmed added a goal. Mezazeme and Quishpi each recorded an assist. Jonathan Ramirez Delgado made eight saves in goal for the Eagles.
Central Penn 3, Saint Elizabeth 0 – Sept. 12
Saint Elizabeth returned home Saturday to host Central Penn at the St. Elizabeth Soccer Field.
The Eagles and Knights played a scoreless opening 45 minutes, with Saint Elizabeth producing five shots and keeping Central Penn off the scoreboard. The match remained tied until Central Penn broke through in the 62nd minute.
Central Penn added goals in the 69th and 83rd minutes to pull away for a 3-0 victory.
Despite the result, Saint Elizabeth generated 11 shots with four attempts on goal. Brandon Quishpi led the Eagles' offensive pressure with four shots, including three on target, while Tugay Bozogluer recorded three shots. Carlos Saldana also placed a shot on goal.
Ramirez Delgado turned away six Central Penn attempts, including four saves in the second half. Saint Elizabeth finished with four corner kicks while holding Central Penn scoreless through the first half.
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Bozogluer led Saint Elizabeth offensively over the two-game stretch with three points on one goal and one assist. Ahmed contributed the Eagles' other goal, while Mezazeme and Quishpi each recorded an assist.
Quishpi totaled eight shots across the two contests and put three on goal, while Bozogluer finished with five shots. In net, Ramirez Delgado recorded 14 saves over 180 minutes.
