Gerber's Game-Winner Lifts NJIT Over Temple

September 14, 2018

TEANECK, NJ—Senior midfielder Arianna Gerber scored the game-winning goal with 1:03 left in regulation as NJIT won in dramatic fashion, 1-0, over visiting Temple Friday evening at University Stadium on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm at Kean University East Campus Facility, was changed to the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson’s University Stadium due to unplayable field conditions at the Highlanders home field.

NJIT moves to 5-2-1 on the season, posting its fifth shutout of the season while Temple falls to 3-5-0.

Gerber scored the game-winning goal at 88:57 assisted by Christine Conaghy. Conaghy served the cross from the left side to Gerber at the top of the box, which hit of a Temple defender. The Highlander senior corralled the ball, split two defenders, striking the game-winner with her left foot over the Temple keeper into the upper right corner.

“I’m proud of how we responded after last Sunday,” third-year head coach Ally Nick commented. “Tonight our team showed a lot of heart and determination. At halftime, our staff made some adjustments and the players implemented them very well which gave us the advantage in the second half.”

The goal for Gerber was her first of the season and eighth of her career while Conaghy notches her first assist of the season. Gerber finished the match with nine shots (four on goal).

“Our attacking players stepped up in the second half, especially Arianna (Gerber),” Nick added. “We need players to take the match into their own hands at times and that is what Ari did for us tonight and can do for us each night.”

Graduate student Amelia Sapirman collected her fifth shutout of the season in goal, picking up four saves on five Temple shots.

NJIT outshot the visiting Owls, 18-7 (12-4 in the second half) and 9-5 in corner kicks.

In the 29^th minute, NJIT’s Christine Conaghy, made a quick impact off the bench, firing a left-footed strike but the forwards shot was saved by the fingertips of Temple’s keeper Morgan Basileo.

Five minutes into the second half, NJIT’s Dunja Trajkovic’s bending shot, just missed the top left corner from outside the 18.

Gerber’s shot in the 63^rd minute, near the far post was tipped away at the last minute by Basileo.

NJIT continued to pressure the Owls, as Gerber’s shot off the top of her foot in the 66^th minute, sailed high, on a serve into the box by defender Emily Heckman.

Temple with a dangerous scoring opportunity in the 83^rd minute by Marissa Digenova’s shot from distance was kick saved by sophomore Katrina Nguyen-DeMary on the goal line.

A hand ball just outside the 18, in the 87^th minute, resulted in a close free kick for the Highlanders on a tough angle. Gerber’s shot, low into the box to Jenny Callaghan was saved by the diving Basileo.

NJIT will have a quick turnaround and travel to UMBC on Sunday at 1pm.

Nicked added, “Sunday against UMBC is a big match for us to keep this momentum going as we close out the non-conference action.”