Union, NJ –  Fifth-seeded Stockton University (14-3-4) scored two goals in a span of 9:40 in the second half and downed the No. 4 seed Kean University (10-7-1) 2-1 on Saturday evening. The win catapulted the Ospreys to the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament. Freshman Ervin Gjeli (Hasbrouck Heights/Hasbrouck Heights) and sophomore John Maxted (Middletown/Middletown North) tallied the markers for Stockton.
 
Stockton came out fast against the home standing Cougars, firing off seven shots with five on net during the first half. Eucario Solano (Galloway/Absegami) was able to get three attempts on net but could not break the scoreless affair through the first half.
 
Kean broke the deadlock in the 56th minute as Vinceroy Nelson took a cross from Danny Guillen and potted the first goal of the game for a 1-0 lead for the Cougars. The Ospreys responded 10 minutes later as Maxted knotted the game with his first goal of the season and first in a Stockton uniform for the transfer from St. Peter's. The sophomore took a crossing pass from Nick Cristea (Medford/Shawnee) and hit the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

Gjeli then scored the game-winner at 84:41 for the Ospreys. Kelly Blidi (Trenton/Trenton Catholic) fired a shot that was knocked away, but the rebound came straight to Gjeli for his fourth goal of the season.
 
His open-net tally proved to be the margin of victory for Stockton. The Cougars had two opportunities in the last four minutes of play but both shots sailed high and the Ospreys prevailed 2-1.
 
Kellen Groover (Florence/Life Center Academy) made one save to earn the victory as Stockton held a 10-2 advantage on shots on goal for the game. Derek Phells made eight saves for the Cougars.
 
Stockton will travel Glassboro on Wednesday to face top seed Rowan University in the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament. Game time is set for 7 pm.