NEWARK, NJ—South Carolina State scored once in each half for a 2-0 win over NJIT Friday night in Great West Conference women's soccer.

The win strengthened South Carolina State's hold on first place in the GWC East Division, as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to 3-0 in conference play with three conference matches left in the regular season. They are 9-5-1 overall.

NJIT, the 2009 GWC East Division regular season winner, dropped to 1-2 in 2010 conference play. The Highlanders are 2-10-1 overall.

South Carolina State's first goal came after a direct free kick in the 17th minute. Brooke Ehinger, shooting from straight on and outside the penalty area, struck the ball into the NJIT wall. Her shot spun free off the wall straight to Olivia Moore, who was alone about 10 yards in front of the goal. Moore, with a clear look, booted the ball past NJIT goalkeeper Sadie Mele.

The Lady Bulldogs got the insurance goal with just under 10 minutes to play. Briana Lopez intercepted an errant clearance attempt by the Highlander defense, carried the ball a couple of strides into the box and scored, unassisted, from 17 yards away.

Most of the possession for both teams was away from the goal and it was reflected in the shots totals. South Carolina State outshot NJIT overall, 9-5, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.

Lady Bulldog goalkeeper Danielle Murphy made two saves in recording the shutout. NJIT's Mele made one save, but was her usual active self from the goal line out 25 to 30 yards into the field.

Each team had one shot into the goal frame. For South Carolina State, it came in the fourth minute, when Lopez hit the crossbar.

Still down just one goal, NJIT's Gechi Ukaegbu hit the right goalpost in the 53rd minute on a try that was impressive in the fact that she even got it off. Surrounded by defenders and teammates near the top of the box, she was falling backwards after a tussle and still got off a hard shot.

The Highlanders, who had their first home game of the month when they hosted South Carolina State, will turn around and host Longwood in a non-conference match on Sunday at 1 pm on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.