Box score
WEST POINT, NY—Army's Bryan Connolly scored on a header in the 70th minute to break a tie and lift the Black Knights to a 2-1 victory in the men's soccer 2009 season opener Tuesday night at Clinton Field on the campus of the United States Military Academy.
Connolly's header from in close off of a crossing pass out of the corner from Cole Dietz was the decisive tally in a flurry that saw the teams trade three goals in a span of 7:27 part way through the second half.
The Black Knights broke a scoreless tie on a goal at 62:30 by Tanner Robertson assisted by Michael Leach.
NJIT answered just 38 seconds later when senior Gustav Warfving knocked the ball into the net off of a scramble in front of the net. Warfving's tally was unassisted.
The 1-1 tie held up a little less than seven minutes before Connolly scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 69:57.
The total shots in the close matchup favored NJIT, 15-14, including a 10-5 margin in the second half. The corner kicks and fouls were close, as well, with Army posting a 3-2 advantage in corners, while also drawing 13 fouls to 11 for the Highlanders.
Army goalkeeper Nick Alexander was credited with four saves on the night, while NJIT keeper Ryan Sutherland stopped four Army shots. Each keeper got help, as both teams had a shot hit the post and both defenses knocked down a pair of shots each.
Alexander, the Army goalkeeper, was in the unusual circumstance of being a senior making his first varsity appearance. He had been on the three previous Army teams, but played behind three men who all played their senior seasons in 2008.
A bid for the tying goal just missed for the Highlanders, as Franco Gamero, playing his first game for NJIT, took a header that struck the crossbar with just 1:45 remaining.
The Highlanders will visit Lafayette for a 7 pm game in Easton, Pa, on Friday and NJIT will play its home opener on Sunday at 1 pm when Monmouth visits Lubetkin Field.
