Box score
NEWARK, NJ—Saint Peter's freshman Chloe Zmolek's first college goal was the difference for the visiting Peahens, who defeated NJIT 1-0 in a women's soccer game Friday night on Lubetkin Field.
Most of the game was played in a light, but steady rain that was pushed over the field by billowing winds, creating conditions that may have contributed to the scarcity of genuine scoring opportunities.
Zmolek notched the only goal of the game at 65:09, when she finished a re-start that followed on of 10 corner kicks for her team.
Her fellow Saint Peter's freshman Jamie Lisanti fired a high ball into the box from the right corner and it came down at the feet of Zmolek, who was not marked about 10 yards straight in front of the goal.
After a moment to gain control, Zmolek shot the ball past NJIT goalkeeper Sadie Mele, who could not reach the low shot to her right.
NJIT, which had a 15-5 advantage in overall shots in the game, increased its pressure for a few minutes after falling behind, but the Highlanders couldn't find the necessary spark to draw back even.
The Saint Peter's defense was solid for most of the contest, preventing the Highlanders from stringing together passes in the attacking zone and forcing NJIT to mostly settle for shots of 15 yards, or longer.
Saint Peter's freshman Caitlin Hoffer had five saves in recording her first solo college shutout. She had been the starting goalie in SPC's season-opening 2-0 win against Wagner on August 28, but gave way to teammate Leigha Ashmen at halftime of that contest.
NJIT's Mele made two saves, as the shots on goal were five for the Highlanders and three for Saint Peter's. The corner kicks were 10-4 for the visitors.
Kori Washington put two shots on goal for NJIT. Christi Taylor had three shots overall and one on goal, while one of two shots was on goal for Mariam Bestawros.
Saint Peter's is 2-3, while NJIT falls to 1-3.
Saint Peter's was the second of four opponents from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference on the NJIT schedule this season. The next MAAC visitor will be on Sunday, when Rider comes to Lubetkin Field for a 1 pm match.
