NEWARK, NJ--Gechi Ukaegbu scored the game's only goal and Sadie Mele posted her ninth career shutout Friday night, as NJIT blanked visiting Delaware State, 1-0, in Great West Conference East Division women's soccer.

The win on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium lifted NJIT to 2-2 in conference play, with both wins coming against Delaware State, which fell to 0-5 in the GWC East.

There weren't many great chances for either side all night, but the Highlanders converted in the 35th minute. Ukaegbu took a through pass from Piper Lunan in the box, shielded the defender and got off a rolling shot from 10 yards that tucked inside the right goal post. The goal was the first of the season for the sophomore Ukaegbu, who scored three times as a freshman in 2009.

NJIT (3-11-1 overall) managed to hold on the rest of the way for its first shutout win of the season, but it was not without a scare. Just as the game clock turned under one minute remaining, Delaware State's Jeanette Salgado sent a high looping shot from 30 yards away that forced an acrobatic diving deflection from Mele, the NJIT senior goalkeeper.

Mele made four saves in recording the shutout, while her counterpart, Courtenay Haas, made three saves for the Hornets, who are 1-16 overall.

The shots on goal were four for each team, but NJIT had a decided edge in total shots, 13-8. NJIT also spent a good deal of time in the attacking third without being able to get the ball in front for close shots on goal.

NJIT is off for a week now, before returning home on Friday, October 29 against Howard. That GWC East game on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium will be Senior Night, as the Highlanders will recognize their six seniors in the last home match of 2010.