Mena’s Free Kick Downs Knights as Beavers Defeat Berkeley 3-2

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A successful free kick by freshman Maximilian Mena in the 75^th minute of the game proved to be the game winning goal as the City College of New York men's soccer team (4-6-2) defeated the Knights of Berkeley College (3-8-1), 3-2, on Monday evening at Floyde Bennett Field at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn.

The goal, the second of the season for Mena, came after a foul in the box, allowing the freshman to take a free kick while Samuel Nkama picked up two assists as the junior now has five on the season.

The Beavers completed its first comeback of the season as the Knights took a 1-0 lead 20 minutes into the nonconference contest. Two minutes later, sophomore Matthew Mbamelu scored his team-best sixth goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Nkama recorded his first of two goals and Gregory Betty picked up his first helper on the year after a cross into the box led to a shot on goal that bounced off of the goalie's hands and allowed Mbamelu to head the ball into the net.

The Beavers would break the tie in the 34^th minute of play as freshman Daniel Amador recorded his first collegiate goal. After a scramble in the Knights box, the ball saw the foot of Daniel Amador to give the Beavers a 2-1 lead at the half while Nkama recorded his second goal of the evening and sophomore Felipe Maidana picked up his second helper of the season.

The Knights came out of the half strong, tying the game at 2-2 three minutes into the second period.

Great defense was played for about 30 minutes until Berkeley was called for a foul inside the box in the 75^th minute of the contest. The Beavers took advantage of the free kick as Mena took the shot and scored the goal in the upright corner to give the Beavers the lead 3-2.

Goalkeeper Tayfun Kucuk improved to 2-3 on the year as the senior picked up his second consecutive victory of the season.

The Beavers conclude its home portion of their schedule as CCNY plays host to the College of Staten Island on Wednesday, Oct. 10 on the grass field at Purchase College. Kucuk, Kazuhide Kosugi and Kevon De Landro will be honored during pregame ceremonies.

For full coverage of Beavers soccer, please visit CCNYAthletics.com, the home of CCNY Athletics and follow @CCNYSports on Twitter.