ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's soccer team kept its undefeated record in Atlantic East conference play intact on Saturday afternoon, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over rival Cabrini University.

Steven Matalavage scored the lone goal of the game for the Knights, while Shane Smith picked up the shutout win in goal with four saves on the day.

After a tough loss to Johns Hopkins earlier in the week, Neumann came out ready to play in Saturday's Homecoming contest. Outshooting Cabrini by a count of 8-3 in the opening half, the Knights dictated play and set the tone for a strong performance. The game's best early chance came 11 minutes into the first frame, when Brady Simon threaded a perfect diagonal ball to a cutting Matt Sengphachanh behind the Cavaliers' back-line. The sophomore forward got a shot off, but it was blocked by a last-ditch lunge from a Cabrini defender to keep the score level.

Simon nearly created a second goal of his own later in the half. After some slick dribbling down the right flank, he found himself in behind the Cabrini defense before having two shots saved at point-blank range from the Cavalier net-minder. Despite the early chances for Neumann, the game would head to halftime level at 0-0.

Both teams ratcheted up their levels as the game moved into the second half. Neumann again outshot the visitors by a count of 7-5 in the period, but Smith needed to be sharp on long throw-ins and set-pieces to keep the game tied. Using his height to his advantage, the senior net-minder was a monster in the air for the Knights as he calmly picked out every Cabrini service into the box that he faced.

The hosts finally found a breakthrough with just under 15 minutes left to play. Nick Testa found a ball in transition and played a beautiful through ball to the left flank for a streaking Matalavage. The junior forward's initial shot was blocked initially by a Cabrini defender, but the rebound caromed off the Cavalier goalkeeper and into the net to give Neumann a 1-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Cabrini applied some late pressure looking for an equalizing tally, but a stout Neumann defense shut the door to close out the win. The Knights have now gone 290 minutes in Atlantic East conference play without conceding a goal against.

Neumann (6-4-2, 2-0-1 Atlantic East) will return to action for Senior Day next Wednesday, October 17^th versus Gwynedd Mercy University. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM.