Box Score
BROOKLYN, NY—Long Island University scored the game's only goal in the 31st minute and then held off hard-charging NJIT for a 1-0 men's soccer win Tuesday night on LIU Field.
The Blackbirds, who have won their last two after an 0-4 start, struck on a play that fit well with their home field style of play. The dimensions of LIU Field are relatively small, placing a premium on the ability to win balls in traffic and the Blackbirds are adept at playing throw-ins and corner kicks into the box and also at winning balls in the air.
The LIU came off a throw-in and also mixed in a header, as Rommel Forde threw the ball into the box, where Jukka Lehto headed it toward the far post and Mohammed Mashriqi struck it into the goal from about six yards away with 14:25 left in the first half.
Ryan Sutherland, making his second consecutive start in goal for the Highlanders, was credited with two saves, while his LIU counterpart, Michael Wood, got three saves in recording his first shutout of the season.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, NJIT coach Pedro Lopes made some adjustments, including moving Devon Newton to midfield and inserting Rafael Barrera on the back line and the result was a stronger presence in the air for the Highlanders, which helped them take control of the play in the last 45 minutes.
Outshot in the first half, 10-2, the Highlanders, having made their adjustments, turned the tables and outshot the home team, 8-2, after the break.
One of Wood's saves was a game-changer with about 15 minutes left, as he stopped a strong shot by Eddie Romero, who was playing a cross from Erik Magnusson. “The keeper made an unbelievable save,” said Lopes.
Toward the end, NJIT's Gustav Warfving worked to get a breakaway, but his shot was off target over the top of the goal.
“We played well,” said Lopes. “We had our chances and I thought we outplayed them in the second half, but we couldn't put one past their keeper. Being ahead, 1-0, they were able to defend for the whole second half and we just couldn't get the goal.”
Lopes, whose team was denied a chance for back-to-back victories, having won 3-2 in its previous outing at Manhattan over the weekend, sees positive signs.
“We're outplaying our opposition for significant stretches, but we just haven't been able to capitalize yet,” said the coach. “Our guys feel it. It's right there for them, but they still haven't been able to get the score they deserve. If we keep doing this, we'll be rewarded.”
The next opponents for NJIT are also from Brooklyn, but the St. Francis Terriers will be coming to Newark, where they'll take on the Highlanders on Saturday at 7 pm on Lubetkin Field.
