Box Score

WASHINGTON, DC—Sophomore Mario Martin's open header off a corner kick 3:21 into the match was the only goal for either team, as Howard defeated visiting NJIT, 1-0, Friday night in Atlantic Soccer Conference men's action.
 
The goal, started by Austin O'Brien's corner kick, was the only shot on goal of the night for the victorious Bison, who were credited with two total shots in raising their overall record to 3-12-2 and their conference mark to 1-3. Howard did not get its second shot until the 86th minute.
 
The loss erases NJIT hopes of finishing top the standings in the five-team ASC, which plays an abbreviated four-game conference slate.
 
The Highlanders, who are now 1-2 in the conference, could have finished first with a win at Howard and another win in their regular season finale on Monday night, when they host two-time defending conference champ Adelphi.
 
However, Adelphi, 3-0 in the ASC, clinched the top spot with NJIT's loss at Howard. Now, the Highlanders could be in the 4-5 game when the conference tournament begins at Adelphi on November 10.
 
NJIT's overall record is 4-10-2, as its completes the away schedule with a 1-9 record, contrasted with ar 3-1-2 home mark, with the remaining game vs. Adelphi.
 
The total shots against Howard Friday night favored the Highlanders, 10-2, including 7-1 in the second half as they pressed for the equalizer. The shots on goal were 3-1 for NJIT, which had six corner kicks to two for the winners.
 
Freshman Eric Hamilton started in goal and made one save for the Bison before he was ejected on a direct red card at 16:06. He was relieved by classmate Michael Bellot, who went the rest of the way and finished with two saves.
 
The NJIT keeper, Lars Maalen-Johansen, played all 90 minutes and did not make a save.
 
“It's a disappointing loss,” said NJIT coach Cesar Markovic. “We had a chance to set ourselves up to play for first place on Monday. We were sharp, but we couldn't put the ball in the net. Sometimes, you play the game in the other team's third and end up losing.”
 
Describing the way the game looked, Markovic said: “It was like a half-court offense in basketball, where you're passing, passing, passing, passing, trying to break them down and they're tucked in on defense. There were times we broke them down, but when we did, we couldn't finish. It was very frustrating.”
 
The regular season will conclude on Monday at 7 pm, when NJIT hosts Adelphi on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for October 29, but was postponed by the heavy snowstorm that hit the Newark area that day.
 
“Now we have to regroup and make a good showing on Senior Night (Monday) against Adelphi and then try to carry that into the tournament,” said the coach.