Box Score
NEWARK, NJ—Lafayette's Stephanie Bereday managed the only goal of the night late in the first half and the visiting Leopards went on to a 1-0 women's soccer victory over NJIT Friday on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.
The Highlanders (3-4-1) had an edge in overall shots, 17-11, including 11-6 in the first half, but the only shot that mattered on the scoreboard came off the foot of Bereday of Lafayette (3-6-1).
The Leopards junior ran onto a through pass from sophomore Dana Moyer and then broke in alone against NJIT goalkeeper Sadie Mele.
Mele, who read the angle well, came off her line a couple of steps to challenge the shot and got a good piece of Bereday's try. But the shot was well-struck and it rolled off the keeper's fingertips and trickled over the line ahead of Mele's diving attempt to gain control.
Mele finished the match with seven saves, while her Lafayette counterpart, Lauren Smedley, needed three saves to record the shutout. The corner kicks were even at two apiece and the fouls were nearly even, as well (11-10, NJIT) in a hard, clean match that had no cautions and only a couple of brief stoppages in play.
Lafayette and Smedley extended their shutout streak to more than 213 minutes, having last surrendered a goal late in the second half two games ago. The Leopards played a scoreless tie with Saint Peter's three nights before blanking the Highlanders.
Despite NJIT's first-half shooting advantage, the Highlanders needed two big saves by Mele in the 23rd minute to avoid falling behind sooner. The first came against Lafayette's Jill Dozier and moments later Janelle Pierson stole a clearing attempt by NJIT and got off a strong shot that Mele stopped, as well.
Perhaps the Highlanders' best chance of the first half came in the 29th minute when Michelle Borth barely missed wide right on a play off of a corner kick.
Indeed, shooting wide would be the story of the night for the Highlanders, who put just three of their 17 total shots on goal.
The Highlanders maintained their territorial advantage for much of the second half, but efforts to gain the equalizer were fruitless and their two best second-half tries went wide.
The first, in the 72nd minute, came after the second of two quick free kicks. Cielianna Pasiciel, taking the free kick from about 20 yards away, hit the Lafayette defensive wall and the carom came to Amanda Dotten, who missed wide left from about 10 yards out in the left side of the penalty area.
And in the 84th minute #Kori Washington made a strong run and dropped a centering pass to Mariam Bestawros#, but the freshman's attempt was off target, as well.
Next up for NJIT is a non-conference home contest against Iona on Monday at 7 pm on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.
