September 10, 2005

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology men's soccer made history Saturday afternoon, registering its first victory as an NCAA Division I program in a 2-0 win over Manhattan in the opening round of the SoccerPost.com Classic, hosted by Monmouth University.

The Highlanders, who are in their first season as a full, championship-eligible member of Division I in men's soccer, scored twice in the last 11 minutes to claim the win over Manhattan.

NJIT (1-1-1) got an unassisted goal by freshman Scott Rietze (Bowmanville, Ontario/Courtice Secondary) at 79:08 and an insurance goal from sophomore Eddie Romero (Laurel, DE/Sussex Central HS) with just 26 seconds left in the contest. Greg Spaulding (Amherst, NH/Souhegan HS) assisted on Romero's goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Sutherland (Harrisville, RI/Burrillville HS) made his first start of the season for NJIT and recorded the shutout, making three saves--all in the first half.

NJIT coach Pedro Lopes, who had seen his team take defending America East Conference champion Boston University to double overtime, before losing, 3-2, and then tie a strong Stony Brook team, 0-0, was pleased for his players.

"It's definitely a great feeling to get the first Division I win," Lopes said. "Most important, for the guys, it was good for them to get a result that reflects how hard they've worked."

Manhattan applied heavy pressure early in the game, but was unable to dent the goal, as Sutherland made one especially difficult stop early. The momentum began shifting as the first half progressed and NJIT had the better of the play in the second half.

The Highlanders' first goal came on Rietze's 25-yard direct free kick that slipped past Manhattan goalkeeper Dash Parsons. "On a free kick, one of the things we talk about is the need to put the ball on target, so if no one touches it, the goalkeeper will have to make a save," explained Lopes.

The second goal came with Manhattan playing a man down after one of its players was red-carded. Trailing, 1-0, in the closing minute, the Jaspers had thrown all nine field players into the attack.

NJIT's Spaulding intercepted a pass and sent it ahead, where Romero ran onto it, controlling the ball about 40 yards out and bearing down the middle before flicking the ball past Parsons at 89:34.

The Highlanders will take on Fordham in the second round of the Monmouth tournament on Sunday at 3 pm. Manhattan and Monmouth will play at 1 pm.

Earlier on Saturday, Fordham and Monmouth played to a 1-1 double overtime tie.