Newark, New Jersey---Two first half goals helped extend St. Francis Brooklyn’s unbeaten streak to six matches as the Terriers defeated the NJIT Highalnders, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon from Lubetkin Field. It was the final non-conference match for the Terriers.

St. Francis Brooklyn put a stop to NJIT’s three match home unbeaten streak, as they improve to 6-2-1 on the season. NJIT now stands at 4-6-2.

”The boys came out playing well today,” commented head coach Tom Giovatto.  “It’s good to see that Kevin (Correa) and Gabriel (Bagot) working together well on both of our scoring chances today.  Jack (Binks) was excellent for us.  He has really emerged as the season progress and its good to go into conference play on a high note.”

St. Francis Brooklyn recorded the first goal of the contest, ten minutes into the match.  2012 Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year Kevin Correa rocketed a shot on goal that was stopped by NJIT’s goalkeeper, David Tuchinsky.  Senior forward Gabriel Bagot alertly was able to corrall the loose ball and place a one-timer to the back of the net to give the Terriers the 1-0 advantage. 

For Bagot, it is his fifth goal of the season and now moves into a tie for tenth all-time with 22 career goals.  As for Correa, it is his team-leading fourth helper of the season, and now has seven for his career.

The Highlanders tried to answer back in the 17th minute as Ansel Ueshiro received a cross from teammate Stephen McGeever but fired the shot high over the goal.  The Terriers raced out on the attack as Correa booted two shot attempts in a span of four seconds that found the hands of the Highlanders’ keeper, keeping the deficit at one.

The third time must have been a charm for Correa as two minutes later, he was able to juke past his defender after a couple of well-executed dribbles.  The Flushing native fired a left-footed shot past Tuchinsky to give the Terriers a 2-0 lead.  For Correa, it is his team-leading sixth goal of the season and 17th for his career. 

Terrier goalkeeper Jack Binks put forth a tremendous performance on the afternoon.  As St. Francis Brooklyn held a 2-0 lead, the Highlanders mounted were able to seize some momentum as NJIT’s Sven Beverst was able to find some open space after beating his defender.  Beverst laced a shot to the right of the goal as Binks made a remarkable diving save to perseve the lead.  Just before the intermission, the Highlanders got final attempt.  Ueshiro crossed the ball from the left side that Jason Gonzalez was able to head the ball on goal, but Binks made the save. 

The Highlanders had a late scoring opportunity in the 75th minute when Cristian Marcel directed the header on goal but Binks was able to make a one-handed stop, keeping the shutout alive.  With just two minutes left in the contest, NJIT’s Philipp Hannemann blasted a scoring chance but once again Binks came up big for the Terriers with a diving save.

For the match, both teams fired 12 shots, with nine of the Terriers shot attempts on target to just the Highlanders five.  Binks recorded his third straight clean sheet, finishing the match with five saves.  His counterparts, David Tuchinsky (4 saves) and Alexander Czempik (3 saves) combined for seven stops on the afternoon. 

St. Francis Brooklyn commences Northeast Conference play on October 11 as they welcome the Sacred Heart University Pioneers to Brooklyn Bridge Park.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

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