HILLSIDE, NJ—Junior Arianna Gerber and sophomore Fiorella Doglio notched their first goals of the season while senior Amelia Sapirman recorded her first career shutout in goal in the Highlanders 2-0 victory over visiting Marist Wednesday afternoon in the home opener for NJIT at Kean University East Campus Facility.

The Highlanders, who dropped its previous three matches (two in overtime) picked up its first win of the 2017 season, moving to 1-3, while Marist falls to an even 2-2 on the young season.

In a match that saw both teams combine for 39 shots, the visiting Red Foxes held a 21-to-18 advantage but the Highlanders led 13-to-7 on shots on goal.

NJIT got on the board in the 28^th minute on high shot by Ariana Gerber, which sailed over the Marist keeper from 25 yards out.

Gerber nearly struck again from distance in the 33^rd minute but Marist’s Ashley Houghton punched the ball out with a diving save, resulting in a Highlander corner kick.

NJIT nearing its second goal of the game, came on a dangerous run down the sideline by junior Neema Liverpool but the attempt was saved by the Marist keeper.

The Red Foxes were close to knotting the game before a ball was saved on the goal line in the 38^th minute by NJIT’s Emily Heckman.

A hand ball in the box from Marist three minutes into the second half, resulted in a penalty kick for the Highlanders.  Sophomore Fiorella Doglio scored her first goal of the season for a 2-0 cushion.

In the 74^th minute, Marist had two scoring opportunities on Sarah Haselkamp’s shot, which hit the cross bar and Brianna Robinson’s shot, which went high off the rebound.

Sapirman, in her second start of the season, notched her first career win and shutout, stopping six Red Fox shots. 

Marist’s Houghton made eight saves in the net in 54 minutes while Makala Foley played the final 36 minutes and recorded three saves.

NJIT will return to action on September 2 against Saint Peter’s at 12Noon.  The match, originally scheduled at Saint Peter’s will be played at NJIT’s home facility, Kean University East Campus Facility.

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