Box Score
BROOKLYN, NY—St. Francis of New York scored the game's first three goals—one in the first half and two in the second—en route to a 3-1 men's soccer victory over visiting NJIT Wednesday night at the Aviator Sports Complex field at Floyd Bennett Field.
Playing their first home game after opening with five away contests, the Terriers got on the board in the eighth minute, thanks to a team-leading third goal for senior midfielder Semso Nikocevic, who converted a feed into the box from Jeverton De Lorenzi.
The Highlanders (2-6) fought hard for the equalizer, but St. Francis goalkeeper Chris Antonino was equal to the task, including a big stop in the 17th minute on a shot by NJIT's Jack McVey.
The Terriers (3-3) got an insurance goal just over eight minutes into the second half, when Leonardo Buttitta picked up his first goal of the season assisted by sophomore classmate Aldo Toma.
Next, St. Francis became the first of NJIT's eight 2009 opponents to top the two-goal mark in a game, thanks to the first tally of the season for all-Northeast Conference star John Sallhag, who scoffed from the middle of the box into the right corner with 25 minutes remaining. De Lorenzi picked up his second assist of the night for St. Francis.
The Highlanders got a goal back on an unassisted header by freshman Papis Ciss with just over 10 minutes to play. Freshman Pete Walker won the ball and sent a crossing pass that caromed off the goal post, where Ciss headed it in for his first college goal.
“Pete was definitely a bright spot,” said NJIT coach Pedro Lopes. “With his work rate, he put pressure on their backs, won the ball and got a cross in for the goal. Pete's character and never quit attitude was a plus for us.”
The St. Francis goalkeeper Antonino made three saves in backstopping the win. NJIT used two goalkeepers. Ryan Sutherland started and played the first 75 minutes and made three saves. He was replaced by junior Arto Altincatal, who played the last 15 minutes in his first career game action.
The shots were 10-5 in favor of St. Francis overall and 6-4 in shots on goal for the Terriers.
“We didn't match their intensity,” said Lopes of the game against St. Francis. “They outplayed us and they did a good job of pouncing on the chances that arose from our defensive mistakes.”
NJIT will return to action on Saturday at 7 pm when the Highlanders host Fairleigh Dickinson on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.
