The Fairleigh Dickinson men’s soccer team advanced to its first NEC Tournament championship match since 2008 with a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Sacred Heart Friday afternoon at Lessing Field on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT.  With the victory, the Knights improve to 11-4-4 on the season, while the Pioneers end their season with a record of 10-5-4.

Junior #Antony Moore# scored the only goal in the 56^th minute of the match on a header from sophomore #Nicholas Walker# to give the Knights’ a lead they would refuse to give up.

The fourth-seeded Knights and the Pioneers had to deal with a strong wind out of the west that was gusting to nearly 50 mph at times.  Sacred Heart had the wind at its back in the first half.

Over the first 45 minutes, the Knights had four good scoring opportunities.  The first one took place in the seventh minute as junior #Jack McVey# had a chance for a header in the center of the Sacred Heart box but just missed getting his head on it.

Seven minutes later in the 14^th minute, freshman #Anders Vest-Hansen# ripped a shot from 25 yards out but was saved by Pioneers’ First Team All-Conference goalkeeper Adam Fait.

In the 35^th minute, McVey got a clean look at the net from 22 yards out, but his shot cruised over the top of the cross bar into the stiff wind.

With three minutes left in the first half, McVey took FDU’s first corner kick of the day and his kick allowed junior #Tatenda Chimhanda# to get his head on the ball but was broken up by Fait.

The Knights were outshot, 6-2, in the first half, as Sacred Heart was able to create more scoring opportunities with the wind at its back.  Sophomore goalkeeper #Jacob Lissek# made two saves in net, but made some great plays on various crosses in the box.

With the wind at its back in the second half, the Knights went on the offensive.  In the 53^rd minute, McVey took a free kick from 25 yards out that was turned away by Fait.

One minute later, Moore received a pass next to the right post but his shot went high, and at the time, was FDU’s best scoring chance of the day.

But in the 56^th minute on the Knights’ second corner kick of the day, McVey’s kick found Walker in the middle of the box who headed it back to Moore who then headed it in into the right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

FDU continued it offensive attack over the next 20 minutes but came up short on four scoring opportunities to extend its lead.  The best chance came in the 74^th minute when McVey missed right in front of the goal with the Sacred Heart defense saving it in front of the net with a clearing kick.

Lissek came up huge in goal in the 82^nd minute as he corralled a shot off a rebound on the ground that was fired from point-blank range in the left side of the box.

The Knights were then able to hold on for the final eight minutes to clinch the 1-0 victory.

FDU outshot Sacred Heart, 8-5, in the second half with the wind at its back.  The Pioneers finished the match with an 11-10 advantage.  Seven of FDU’s shots were on goal, while Sacred Heart managed only three.

Lissek outplayed Fait in the battle of top goalies in the NEC.  Fait made six saves for the Pioneers, but Lissek controlled the box all day long as he made three saves.

Junior captain #Jason Wells# anchored the defense and made exceptional play after exceptional play anytime Sacred Heart put any offensive pressure on.

“It is great to be playing in Sunday’s championship game after a very good win against an outstanding opponent,” Head Coach #Seth Roland said.  “The guys competed very well today and deserve to be playing for the championship trophy.”

The Knights will take on the winner of the Central Connecticut State-Monmouth game which is scheduled to take place later Friday afternoon.  The NEC Championship game will be played at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.