PHILADELPHIA--Redshirt junior forward Rene White scored twice in the first half, raising his career goal mark to 26 as visiting NJIT and La Salle played to a 2-2 double overtime draw in non-conference men's soccer action at McCarthy Stadium.
 

NJIT, which climbed back into the United Soccer Coaches Atlantic Region poll in week five, played its fifth overtime match of the season (and fourth double overtime match), moving to 3-3-4 on the season while La Salle registers its first draw of the 2019 season, moving to 5-4-1.

"We played on the road on a very narrow field," head coach Fernando Barboto commented post game. "Our opponent made it difficult for us to possess the ball, yet I think we created a lot of chances to score. We needed more conviction. I think we let this one slip away. We should have come away with the win on the road."

 

White, the Highlanders 5-foot-8 forward from Bloomfield, NJ, scored twice in the first half, raising his season mark to nine goals, which tops the ASUN Conference and ranks in the top 10 in the nation. His 26 career goals ties the NJIT Division I record with Mamadou Guirassy. 

"Great achievement for Rene to tie Mamadou's record," Barboto added. "There are more matches to be played, plus he has another season. He needs to stay focused."

The home team held a slight edge in overall shots, 19-16.  NJIT's White shared match-high honors in overall shots (5) with La Salle's Omari Cottrell.

 

Freshman keeper Samuel Reisgys registered five saves in the draw.

 

NJIT scored early on a penalty kick after junior transfer Gerald Cubero was taken down inside the box at the 7:40 mark. Leading goal scorer White stepped up and tucked away the first goal of the match, registering his team-leading eighth goal.

 

La Salle knotted the match at 1-1 in the 12th minute on a goal by Pat McCarthy, assisted by Colin Bateman.

 

White scored the go-ahead goal for NJIT, his second of the game, in the 20th minute, assisted by senior Andrew Nino.  Nino slipped the ball behind the La Salle defense to a running White, who fired a shot to the lower left post for a 2-1 advantage. 

 

The goal for White was his ninth of the season while Nino recorded his ASUN-leading fifth assist of the season and stands at 14 career assists.

 

La Salle had a pair of opportunities to score in the 30th and 31st minute but NJIT's keeper Reisgys denied the home team.

 

The Explorers tied the match a 2-2 in the 67th minute off a corner kick by Bateman, who scored just inside the far post, assisted by Connor Sweeney.

 

In the 74th and 75th minute, freshman Alejandro Rabell and White blasted a shot to the bottom center of the goal but La Salle's Carlos Mora made saves on both shots.  

 

NJIT will return to action on Saturday at 3pm when the Highlanders host VMI at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.  Saturday will mark Homecoming Weekend at NJIT.