FAIRFIELD, CT--The NJIT men's soccer team opened the 2019 campaign with a 7-0 shutout victory at Sacred Heart Friday evening behind six different goal scorers in men's soccer non-conference action at Park Avenue Field.

NJIT scored four goals in the first half and three in the second, picking up its first road win of the season and capturing its fifth-straight win over the Pioneers.

"We were quite clinical around the goal today," fourth-year head coach Fernando Barboto added.  "We created many chances to score and did today.  It's good for attacking players to have these experiences so they can be more familiar and composed with future chances."

The seven goals scored are the most scored by a Highlander team in the Division I era since the 2013 season when NJIT scored six goals against Howard on November 10.  The program mark stands at nine, accomplished in 2006.

Redshirt junior Rene White, a preseason ASUN All-Confernece honoree and NJIT's top goal scorer, tallied a pair of goals and added an assist for the Highlanders in the win.

White, who netted 11 goals in 2018, opened the scoring in the 14th minute assisted by Ryan Melink, a transfer from University of Cincinnati.  White added a second goal in the 42nd minute, assisted by senior co-captain Andrew Nino.

Thomas Radon scored a goal in the 18th minute assisted by White while Nino scored just before the half (42nd minute), giving the Highlanders a 4-0 advantage.  Sophomore Luc Smith was credited with the assist, his first of his career.

NJIT continued its momentum into the second half, scoring In the 77th minute, on a tally by Smith, his first collegiate goal assisted by Nino.

NJIT scored its final two goals in the span of 1:15, both assisted by freshman Alejandro Rabell.  Andy Alvarez collected the Highlanders sixth goal in the 85th minute followed by Daniel Rodriguez, scoring his first of his career in the 86th minute.

The visiting Highlanders held a 24-13 advantage in shots, paced by White with five (three on goal).  Three different players -- Radon, Nino and Alvarez recorded three shots each.

Freshman Samuel Reisgys registered his first shutout victory in his Highlander debut, stopping five Pioneer shots.  Junior Anthony Caruso closed out the final 7:32 in goal.

NJIT will open its home slate on September 2, welcoming Fordham to Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

NJIT Highlander Athletics will enter a new era this Fall after the completion of its highly anticipated outdoor multipurpose facility, Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.  The state-of-the-art facility will be the home for NJIT men's and women's soccer and men's lacrosse programs.  When paired with the Wellness and Events Center, it gives the Highlanders one of the elite athletic venues in the Northeast.

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