ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University men's soccer team opened its 2018 Atlantic East Conference playoff campaign with a convincing 3-0 semifinal victory over visiting Immaculata University on Thursday evening.
 
Ainsley Reid continued his game-winning goal scoring streak in the win, picking up his third game-winning tally in as many games. Brady Simon and Cole Speiser also scored for Neumann on the evening, while Shane Smith made two saves in goal to pick up the shutout.
 
After winning the regular season contest between the two teams in double-overtime just under two weeks ago, the Knights knew they would have their hands full with a tough Immaculata team. Neumann took the play to the Mighty Macs early in the game, outshooting the visitors 11-4 in the opening 45 minutes of play. Marlon Trejo had the game's best early chance in the eighth minute when his shot ricocheted off the crossbar. Simon then followed that up with two more chances in the next five minutes, ripping a shot just wide of the post, then having an attempt stopped by the Mighty Mac keeper.
 
The hosts' pressure finally paid off midway through the half, when Reid scored to make it 1-0 Neumann at the 21:34 mark. The sophomore midfielder rose up and headed home a service from fellow midfielder Daniel Rival to put the Knights ahead by a goal heading to halftime.
 
As the game moved to the second stanza, Neumann began to pull away. The Knights did not sit back looking to cling to their slim lead, but rather pushed forward and ratcheted up the pressure in the Immaculata end seeking an insurance marker. Neumann's early half effort was rewarded just over ten minutes into the half when Simon collected a long throw from Andrew Kelly in the box and slipped a ball into the right side netting to put the hosts up by a pair at 2-0.
 
Neumann would cruise from there, tacking on a third goal in the 73rd minute off the foot Speiser. Freshman Gavin Ford created the goal with a brilliant run down the left flank, setting up a streaking Speiser inside the box to smash home the final goal of the game to help the Knights advance. Shots for the game finished 19-8 in favor of the Knights.
 
With the win, Neumann (10-4-2, 5-0-1 Atlantic East) will advance to the Atlantic East Conference Championship game on Saturday afternoon. The Knights will take on rival Cabrini University in the final after the Cavaliers dispatched Wesley College by a score of 2–1 in the other semifinal. Kick-off for the championship match is scheduled for 1:00 PM.