Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College women's soccer team dropped the first game of its three-game homestand as the Seahawks dropped a 2-0 decision to NJIT on Friday night at Hameline Field.

With the loss, the Green and White falls to 3-2-2 on the year, while the Highlanders improve to 5-3 on the year.

The Seahawks fell behind early, as the Highlanders' Arianna Gerber converted a Melanie Zrno feed to put NJIT ahead 1-0 just over two minutes into the contest. Wagner nearly answered seven minutes later, producing consecutive scoring opportunities, but junior Peyton Beck (St. Louis, MO / Webster Groves) just missed a tap-in chance following a corner kick.

The Highlanders then put together some dangerous runs, but Christine Conaghy hit the bar from 20 yards out with 12 minutes to play in the first half, while junior goalie Katie Viscardi (Hazlet, NJ / Mater Dei Prep), who suffered her first loss of the season, was stout early, coming up with four stops in the first 45 minutes.

Wagner immediately applied the pressure in the second half, as a cross by freshman Mattea Reale(Ancaster, Ontario, Canada / Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School) three minutes into the second half turned into a dangerous scoring opportunity, but her skillful lob barely missed the mark.

Just over 10 minutes later, Reale once again crossed the ball into the middle for sophomore Autumn Clark (Fort Lauderdale, FL / Pine Crest Prep), whose shot missed just high from short distance.The visitors waited for their opportunity on the counter attack and doubled their lead with just under eight minutes to play, as Christine Conaghy converted a Briana Hackos cross to make it a 2-0 game. 

Clark led the Green and White with four shots, while Reale was second on the team with two attempts, as the Seahawks outshot the Highlanders 7-6 in the second period. Sophomore Delaney Beck (Bakersfield, CA / Garces Memorial) made two saves in goal.

Wagner will be back in action this Sunday when the Seahawks return to Hameline Field for a 1:00 p.m. matchup vs. Stony Brook.

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