Toms River, NJ - OCC Men's Soccer won their 2023 home opener in resounding fashion, with a 6-1 victory versus RCSJ Cumberland. The win improved the Vikings to an undefeated 2-0 on the season.
After a bit of a slow start by both teams to start the match, the Vikings struck in the 13th minute, when freshman forward Jayson Nardone converted a pass from sophomore Kerem Satar for the match's first tally. The Dukes immediately answered, with a score in the 14th minute, but were effectively shut down offensively for the remainer of this Region 19 matchup. Following an Ocean goal in the 42nd minute by midfielder Aidan Antonio (assisted by Jason Marchitello) Ocean sophomore Mattia Assante helped the Vikings seize momentum and extend their lead with a solid finish in the 50th minute off a delivery from the right flank by defender AJ Truszkowski. Assante then added another goal in the 87th min (assisted by Joao Capobianco) before directly returning the favor in the 89th min by assisting Capobianco on his 1st goal of this young season.
The Vikings peppered the Dukes with 12 shots in this match, surrendering just 6 toward sophomore goalkeeper Dawson Kaniuk, who made 5 stops to help secure the win.
Ocean will return to the pitch for their 3rd match of the season when they visit Sussex County CC on Saturday, September 9 for a 1 P.M. Region 19 battle.