The Berkeley College men's soccer team improved to a perfect 3-0 on the 2023 campaign, turning back the Jersey Blues of Brookdale Community College by a score of 4-2. The match served as the Knights' home opener, and took place at Frank D. Zaccaria Memorial Park in Woodland Park, NJ. Brookdale dipped to 1-2 on the season with the loss.
Brookdale's Jairo Chira netted the opening goal for the Jersey Blues in the opening 15 minutes of action, but the Knights exploded for the next three goals during the stanza to take a 3-1 advantage. Those aforementioned Berkeley goals were courtesy of Lucas Zuleta (at 32:00, from Ian Pallardel), Marc Wolter (38:00, from Esteban Pedrueza), and Alan Martinez (at 42:00, from Massimo Rondon).
The Knights added an insurance goal in the 65th minute when Lucas Zuleta notched his second goal of the afternoon to increase Berkeley's edge to 4-1. 12 minutes later, Brookdale's Chira wrapped up the scoring for the day when he scored his second goal of the afternoon (from Victor Pessoa).
Berkeley netminder Victor Batista, fresh off being announced the USCAA Division II Goaltender of the Week, made seven saves while allowing just the two goals.
Brookdale actually outshot the Knights despite losing the match, as the Jersey Blues registered 16 shots compared to 14 for the hosts.
The Knights will look to make it four consecutive victories to start the 2023 season when they take to the road to battle Christendom on Friday. Start time is scheduled for 4:30pm.
