Box Score

 
NEWARK, NJ—NJIT scored twice in the first half en route to a 2-0 women's soccer win over visiting Delaware State in the first Great West Conference game of the season for the Highlanders Friday night on Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.
 
The two NJIT goals came in a span of less than three-and-a-half minutes, with sophomore Camille Billing breaking the ice on her first goal of the season, assisted by Mariam Bestawros, at 29:51. Freshman Kylie Jones scored what would be the final goal of the night at 33:16, when her bending corner kick curved into the net. The goal was the second of the season for the freshman from Cheshire, England.
 
NJIT (1-0 in the Great West and 2-9 overall) registered its first shutout of 2011 and its first shutout overall since the Highlanders blanked Delaware State, 1-0, on October 21, 2010. The visiting Hornets dropped to 0-2-1 in conference play and 1-12-2 overall.
 
The Highlanders utilized two goalkeepers in Friday's win. Senior Caity Ragni, in her first start, made two saves in playing the opening 45 minutes and freshman Amanda Murray came on and made one save in the second half to complete the clean sheet for NJIT.
 
Delaware State's freshman goalkeeper Katelyn Koslosky finished the night with three saves.
 
The final shot totals showed NJIT with an 18-9 advantage, including 5-3 in shots on goal. The corners were 3-2 for the Highlanders, who were the more dangerous side for large portions of the game.
 
“We've been saying all season that our aim was to be prepared for (conference play),” said NJIT coach Sergio Gonzalez. “It's a brand new season and the three points are crucial as we go through each conference game. I thought it was a great team effort—we defended well and we created some great opportunities on offense.”
 
Even with NJIT's advantage in shots, territory, and possession, the best early chance came when Delaware State's Kelsey Gibson turned on a shot from 15 yards and it caromed off the right post in the 29th minute.
 
Taking the ball the other way, NJIT got on the board with its next foray, as Bestawros sent a lead pass out of midfield to Camille Billing, who used her speed to create a breakaway and fired on the run past the Delaware State keeper, Koslosky, who had come 10 yards off her line trying to break up the play.
 
“I don't think we got a single break like (the Delaware State shot hitting the post) in the first 10 games,” said Gonzalez. “We got it tonight and we took advantage right away.”
 
The Highlanders scored again in the 34th minute, directly on the bending corner off the foot of the freshman, Jones. The goal from Jones came from the left corner to the near post, hooking toward the net and then off Koslosky's fists as she tried to punch it clear.
 
There was no scoring in the second half, but the best chance for either side came when NJIT's Billing had another breakaway in the 77th minute, but her hard shot from 15 yards was saved nicely by Koslosky.
 
Although it was not the final home game of the season, NJIT honored its four graduating seniors—Jennifer Kalczewski, Christina LaBellarte, Cielianna Pasiciel, and Ragni—in Senior Night ceremonies before the game. “It was a great way to celebrate our seniors,” said Gonzalez after the win.
 
The Highlanders, who completed a six-game homestand with Friday night's game against Delaware State, will visit Longwood in Virginia for a 1 pm non-conference game on Sunday.