NJIT Tops Navy, 2-1

August 27, 2018

HILLSIDE, NJ—Redshirt sophomore Rene White and freshman Victor Gomez scored a goal each for NJIT while junior Andrew Nino collected a pair of assists in the Highlanders 2-1 victory over visiting Navy Monday afternoon at Kean University East Campus Facility.

With Monday’s results, the Highlanders begin its third straight season 2-0 while visiting Navy falls to 0-2 on the young season.

NJIT scored two goals in a five-minute span to take a 2-0 lead over the Midshipmen after 16 minutes of action. Navy’s Nicko West was the lone goal scorer for the Mids in the match.

Highlander keeper Victor Pujades notched his second straight win, making three saves. Pujades made all three saves in the first half, two coming in a span of two minutes. The junior keeper made a save in the 19^th minute off the foot of Navy’s Ben Nicholas and one minute later, Pujades made a diving save at the back post to keep the Midshipmen off the board.

White scored the first goal of the match (his second of the season) in the 11^th minute. White stole the ball and beat two Navy defenders for a 1-0 advantage.

The Highlanders doubled the lead on a goal in the 16^th minute by Gomez, who cut behind the Navy defense on a cross inside the box by Nino. Gomez nets his first goal of the 2018 season and Nino notches his second assist of the match (team-leading third of the season).

Navy got on the board in the 20^th minute on a goal by sophomore forward Nicko West. The Mids Jacob Williams started the initial play, firing a hard shot inside the box on goal. West quickly corralled the rebound and tucked away his first goal of the season past Pujades.

At the half, the Mids led the Highlanders 6-4 and 3-1 in corner kicks.

The Highlanders offense came alive in the second half, recording six shots in the final 45 minutes.

NJIT had a pair of opportunities to score in the 51^st and 52^nd minute with shots by Nino, which sailed high and newcomer Luc Smith’s shot curving wide.

Navy, looking for the equalizer in the 82^nd minute, served the ball into the box off a corner kick to Williams, who headed the ball wide left.

NJIT outshot Navy, 10-9, but the Midshipmen held a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal and corner kicks, 7-3.

NJIT will return to action on August 31 when the Highlanders make its first road trip of the 2018 season, visiting Rider. Kickoff is set for 7pm.