Williams Scores First Career Goal as Men's Soccer Handles NJIT, 2-0

(boxscore)

9/10/06 -- Freshman Ryan Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored his first career goal and assisted on another as the Long Island University men’s soccer squad defeated NJIT, 2-0, in the final game of the LIU Soccer Classic, presented by Courtyard by Marriott LaGuardia, on Sunday afternoon.

Junior Ryan Vanderkin (Plymouth, Wisc.) registered the other goal for the Blackbirds, who improved to 2-4 on the season.

The Blackbirds jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, as sophomore Mohammed Mashriqi (Flushing, N.Y.) settled a clear attempt by NJIT in front of the 18-yard box and dropped it to Williams, who left-footed the ball past a sprawling goalkeeper. LIU controlled play in their end for much of the game and finished with an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Late in the second half, a cross from Williams on the right side found Vanderkin in front of the net for the second score.

Junior Alex Fatovic (Falls Church, Va.) stopped a career-best nine shots to record his fifth career shutout for Long Island. Counterpart Josh Osit stopped 10 shots for the Highlanders, who dropped to 1-4 on the year.

Williams and senior Andrew Zarick (Louisville, Ky.) were the two Blackbird representatives on the all-tournament team.

In the day’s first contest, tournament MVP Anthony Hamilton scored the game-tying goal in the 74th minute as UC Irvine managed a 2-2 tie with No. 13 Fordham. The Anteaters took home the tournament championship via the goal differential tiebreaker.

LIU continues its season on Friday, Sept. 15 at the San Diego Soccer Classic in California. The Blackbirds face San Diego at 7:30 p.m.