October 1, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Emile Innocent scored for Howard less than five minutes into the game and the Bison made it hold up for a 1-0 win over visiting New Jersey Institute of Technology in Atlantic Soccer Conference men's soccer Saturday afternoon.

Innocent scored on a quick-developing play, as he took a low crossing pass from Lamar Hyde and tucked the ball inside the near post of the NJIT goal at 4:55 on the game's first shot.

The game was the first in conference play for Howard, which opens the ASC at 1-0, while NJIT is 0-1-1 with four more ASC matches left to play.

After falling behind, 1-0, the Highlanders kept the ball in Howard's end for most of the first half, outshooting the home team, 7-4, and not allowing the Bison another shot on goal over the last 40 minutes of the first half. Of NJIT's seven first-half shots, six required saves by Howard goalkeeper Jason Williams.

The Highlanders continued to force the action in the second half and finished with a 12-8 margin in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

Howard, which had a man advantage for the last 37 minutes, nonetheless opted to pack the defensive half of the field and protect the 1-0 lead. However, the Bison generated some dangerous opportunities off counterattacks, as the Highlanders pushed forward looking to tie.

Howard's strategy proved successful, as Williams finished with 11 saves and the defense was able to clear the ball back down the field or, more frequently, out of bounds to preserve the shutout.

NJIT goalkeeper Collin Cunning finished with three saves--all in the second half.

The Highlanders will be off for a week, before hosting Oneonta State in another Atlantic Soccer Conference game on Saturday, October 8 at 3 pm on Lubetkin Field.