Padam's Early Strike Leads Johns Hopkins Past NJCU, 1-0
BALTIMORE, MD – Senior Birin Padam scored in the 11th minute and junior Nick Cerrone made six saves as Johns Hopkins defeated New Jersey City, 1-0, on Saturday evening at Homewood Field. The Blue Jays pick up their first win of the season as they are now 1-1-1, while the Gothic Knights slip to 2-2-0.
Padam scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 11th minute for his first tally of the season. Junior Mark Spencer played a long ball down the right touchline, Padam ran onto the ball and touched into the box before slipping a shot under a diving Ruben Morales at the 10:50 mark. Padam nearly got a second goal in the 25th minute when he ripped a hart shot from the right side of the box, but it ricocheted off the far post. Senior Danny Reategui had a great chance on the rebound, but an NJCU defender cleared the ball off the line to keep it a one-goal game.
The Blue Jay defense and Cerrone would make the goal stand up. Cerrone made six stops and got a little help from a defender, who cleared an Aboubacar Diawara shot off the line in the 52nd minute. The Gothic Knights put the pressure on the in the second half, outshooting the Blue Jays 12-3, but couldn't find the equalizer.
New Jersey City had the advantage in shots, 17-14, while Hopkins had an 8-7 edge in corners. Morales made six saves in the loss.
Hopkins returns to action on Sunday, September 8 as the Jays host the Rosemont Ravens. Game time at Homewood Field is set for 5:00 pm.
