Jackson Lions FC Defeats New Jersey United AC 5-2
By Tyler Andreas/Jackson Lions FC
The Jackson Lions continued their blistering run of form on Saturday night, defeating New Jersey United AC 5-2 at Donovan Catholic High School and extending their unbeaten start to the 2026 NPSL season.
NJ United arrived hoping to spoil the party, but they were met by a Lions side playing some of the best soccer in the country. Entering the match, Jackson was ranked fourth nationally in the NPSL, while striker Johnny Troiano began the evening tied for third in the league’s Golden Boot race, just two goals behind leader Dembor Benson of El Farolito. The night also marked the full first-team debut of goalkeeper Mike Moore.
Jackson wasted little time getting started.
After relentless pressure from the Lions’ front line in the opening minutes, Jeremy Klinger found space on the edge of the area and unleashed a left-footed effort that forced a save from the NJ United goalkeeper. Joey Kurak reacted first to the rebound and buried the chance in the fourth minute to give Jackson an early 1-0 lead.
NJ United responded well and enjoyed a strong spell of pressure during the opening fifteen minutes. Moore announced his arrival with a big save in the ninth minute, while Joe Fala produced one of the defensive moments of the night shortly afterward, sprinting across the goalmouth to deny a dangerous chance. The veteran defender’s recovery run snuffed out what looked like a certain equalizer.
The visitors eventually found their breakthrough in the 20th minute when Diego Navas converted a penalty kick, firing straight down the middle to level the score at 1-1.
Just two minutes later, Jackson nearly regained the lead after NJ United’s goalkeeper was penalized for handling a deliberate pass from a teammate inside his own penalty area, resulting in an indirect free kick from close range. The Lions could not capitalize, and the match settled into a more cautious rhythm as the half progressed.
That changed dramatically in the 39th minute.
Brandon Newman found Troiano outside the area, and the red-hot striker produced a moment of pure quality, curling an outrageous effort with the outside of his boot into the back of the net to restore Jackson’s lead. Newman would later pick up a yellow card in the 43rd minute before NJ United suffered a major setback just before halftime when Elias Stingl was shown a red card in the 45th minute, forcing the visitors to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Jackson took full advantage after the break.
Just five minutes into the second half, Joe Fala launched a long throw into the area that found Jean Voltaire, who finished confidently to make it 3-1.
The Lions continued to pour forward, introducing Zach Mastrodimos and Osbin Mendez in the 62nd minute for Jules Anderson and Anderson Asiedu. The fresh legs immediately injected more energy into the attack, and Jackson’s pressure forced an own goal from NJ United in the 65th minute to extend the advantage to 4-1.
Patrick Kierzkowski entered for Joey Kurak in the 67th minute, and the Lions’ substitutes continued to create problems throughout the second half. Mastrodimos, Mendez, and Kierzkowski combined for several dangerous opportunities, with Mendez narrowly missing a well-worked move in the 70th minute.
Despite trailing by three goals, NJ United continued to battle. A long ball forward in the 75th minute created a nervous moment, but once again Fala came to the rescue with a crucial recovery challenge to preserve the lead.
Rokas Jarusevicius replaced Troiano in the 78th minute, just days after scoring his first NPSL goal for the club against PDA. Moments later, Jackson put the match completely beyond reach. In the 83rd minute, Jack Krongold delivered a perfectly placed corner kick that Voltaire powered home for his second goal of the evening.
NJ United did manage one final highlight when Navas produced a spectacular consolation goal, spotting Moore off his line and chipping the young goalkeeper from near midfield. It was an audacious finish that deserved admiration despite coming in defeat.
The Lions closed out the evening with additional appearances from Maximus Durazzo and Kosta Papanikolas, who entered late in the second half as Jackson comfortably saw out the victory.
The 5-2 result was another statement performance from a Lions team that continues to build momentum with every passing week. Jackson’s depth, attacking quality, and relentless pressing were on full display as they strengthened their position near the top of the Keystone Conference and continued to prove why they are one of the most in-form teams in the entire country.
With confidence soaring and contributions coming from every corner of the roster, the Lions’ summer continues to roar on.
Photo Credit: Tyler Andreas/Jackson Lions FC
