Box Score

NEWARK, NJ– Senior defender Christian Galindo scored a goal and added an assist to pace a three-goal second half outburst, leading the NJIT men's soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over previously unbeaten Sacred Heart Wednesday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

The win enabled the Highlanders (3-4) to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Pioneers dropped to 3-1.

The Highlanders erupted for three goals in a 15-minute span and scored the final two goals in a span of just 27 seconds.

The Pioneers held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but then sophomore forward Cristian Marcel tied the match with his second goal of the season, followed by goals from senior forward Franco Gamero (his second goal of the year) and Galindo, who scored his first goal on a penalty kick.

The Highlanders then had to survive a hairy situation over the final 14 minutes, when they lost a player to a red card and had to play down a man. But the young Highlanders persevered and came away with the victory.

“It was a great win,” NJIT head coach Cesar Markovic said. “What can you say? It was a great win in every way. I think our young team showed a lot of character to hold it together. I'm incredibly proud of them.”

Markovic said that the game reminded him a little of a loss Sept. 1 to Fairleigh Dickinson, where the Highlanders lost a three-goal lead in the second half after a player was ejected and lost a heartbreaking 4-3 decision.

“There were some ghosts from that game, but I think from the minute we went down a man, we held it together,” Markovic said. “We moved a little faster and did what we had to do to get the result.”

The Pioneers had the first solid scoring opportunity, when Mahmoud Kafel's header was stopped by Highlander senior goal keeper Lars Maalen-Johansen caught in the 15^th minute.

One minute later, Kafel made his way through two defenders and rifled a right-footed shot that went to the right of Maalen-Johansen in the 16^th minute. Ronaldo Vieira was credited with an assist on Kafel's goal, his second of the season.

The Pioneers kept the pressure on. In the 18^th minute, Marcello Castro's direct free kick from 23 yards out was kicked aside by Maalen-Johansen and Alex Danais' rebound attempt was also stopped in the flurry by the Highlander keeper.

The Highlanders' lone scoring chance in the first half came in the 29^th minute.  Gamero made a fine move across the center of the field and touched it ahead to freshman midfielder Enrique Hildago, who tried to slide the ball past Pioneers net minder Daniel Nicinski, who made a diving save.

The Pioneers then had a chance to increase their lead in the final minute of the first half, when Jamal Vinson's header was corralled by Maalen-Johansen.
Maalen-Johansen had four saves at halftime.

The Highlanders then evened the score in the 53^rd minute. Freshman midfielder Joshua Mercer made a phenomenal 50-yard left-footed pass right to the streaking Marcel, who booted it past Tucker Hackett for the equalizer. Hackett had replaced Nicinski at halftime. It was Marcel's second goal of the season and he became the first Highlander this season to score more than one goal.

The Pioneers then had a chance to take the lead in the 61^st minute, but Marcello Castro's direct free kick was stopped in front of the goal by Highlander freshman defender Jimmy Myers.

The Highlanders then took command of the match, scoring twice in a span of 27 seconds.

Gamero scored his second goal of the season, off a brilliant feed from Galindo in the 68^th minute, giving the Highlanders a 2-1 lead.  In that same minute, Gamero was pulled down in the penalty box, awarding a penalty kick. Galindo calmly blasted it past Hackett for his first goal of the season, pushing the lead to 3-1.

The Highlanders had a chance to push the lead to three goals, but Marcel's header hit the right post.

The Pioneers sliced the lead to 3-2 in the 74^th minute, when Vieira made a fine left-footed cross into the box and Vinson headed it past Maalen-Johansen for his second goal of the season.

The Highlanders received a tough break with 14 minutes left, as junior midfielder Nils Warfving received a red card caution and was ejected from the contest, forcing the Highlanders to play the remainder of the match down a man.

With 12 minutes left, Maalen-Johansen made the save of the match. Vinson went in untouched and unleashed a left-footed blast that a diving Maalen-Johansen punched over the crossbar for an absolutely outstanding save. It was Maalen-Johansen's fifth save of the match, securing his third victory.

“That's why he's there,” Markovic said of Maalen-Johansen. “That's what we expect of him. He's truly a great keeper and he knows what he has to do to keep us in games.”

In the closing seconds, freshman defender Falk Siegel cleared the ball out of the penalty area to secure the victory for the Highlanders.
“We had a long trip (to Oneonta, N.Y.) and came back home where we're comfortable,” Markovic said. “It's the first of three straight at home. This was a good effort by a team that really needed a win. “

The Highlanders return to action Friday night at Mal Simon Stadium, when they play host to the University at Buffalo in the second half of a doubleheader, with game time slated for 7 p.m. The NJIT women's soccer team faces FDU in the opener, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Write-up courtesy James Hague