Box Score
NEWARK, NJ—NJIT dominated the secondary statistics, but it was visiting Delaware State that scored the game's only goal in a 1-0 victory in women's United Soccer Conference play Friday night on Lubetkin Field.
NJIT outshot the visitors, 25-4 overall, including a 9-2 advantage in shots on goal, and the Highlanders had seven corner kicks to one for Delaware State, which, except for some random counter attacks, spent most of the night in its own end.
The decisive moment came early in the 43rd minute. With the Highlanders having fired 12 shots to none for the Hornets, Delaware State's Danielle Miller received a long pass into the box from Savitre Bachoo, beat two defenders and then put the ball behind NJIT's goalkeeper, Sadie Mele, who had come off her line attempting to break up the play.
NJIT took two shots in the final minute, raising the first-half shot differential to 14-1. The second half total was only slightly less lopsided—11-3 for NJIT, but Delaware State goalkeeper Courtney Haas was equal to the task, finishing with nine saves in posting her third shutout of the season. On the other end, Mele, who was rarely threatened, made one save.
Haas made good saves on Kori Washington in the eighth minute, on Emma Vinski in 12th minute, on Mimi Thammavongsa in the 45th minute and then in the second half on Washington in the 56th minute and on Erika Taugher in the 75th minute.
Three different Highlanders equaled or surpassed the four total shots of the entire Delaware State team. NJIT's Washington was dangerous all night, using her speed to run past backpedaling Delaware State defenders. She was also dangerous carrying the ball out the corner toward the middle of the field. She finished with five shots—three on goal.
Jennifer Kalczewski and Amanda Gannon each matched the Delaware State total of four shots and Taugher and Vinski managed three shots apiece.
Delaware State, which had lost its previously three meetings with NJIT all-time, is 1-2 in the United Soccer Conference, while NJIT is 1-2-1 in the conference, with both losses coming by one-goal margins.
The Highlanders have just two regular season matches remaining. They will close out the home portion of the schedule with a Senior Day non-conference matchup against Bryant on Sunday at 1 pm on Lubetkin Field.
The final regular season game will be on October 26 in Washington, DC, in a USC match against Howard.
