Box Score

NEWARK, NJ-Senior forward Erin Morris scored a goal in the opening stages of the second half, but Melissa Frederick knocked in the equalizer in the closing minutes of regulation, as NJIT and Iona battled to a 1-1 draw Sunday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

The tie placed the Highlanders' record to 2-6-2 overall, while the Gaels moved to 2-5-2 overall. The Highlanders remain winless in their last four matches, going to 0-2-2 during that span.

Morris received a perfect pass from senior forward Gechi Ukaegbu in the 50^th minute to knock home the Highlanders' lone goal of the match.

Iona tied the match in the 87^th minute, when Leah Taylor unfurled a beautiful 45-yard free kick toward the goal that Sofia Sanchez touched past NJIT freshman Samantha Bersett for the equalizer. The two teams remained scoreless through two overtime sessions. Bersett had six saves in goal, including one dazzling stop in the first minute of the first overtime to keep the match deadlocked.

“We gave up the equalizer late,” NJIT women's head soccer coach Sergio Gonzalez said. “We have to be accountable for that. But I thought, for the most part, we played pretty well. To come back after Friday night (a 3-1 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson) and play with the fight we had tonight was encouraging. We battled all night. Our ball possession was excellent.”

The Gaels had the better of the scoring chances in the first half.

In the fourth minute, Gabriella Fuduli got a header off a free kick that was cleared out of the box by junior Amanda Redden, who was moved to defender to start the game from her normal position as a forward.

In the 19^th minute, Sofia Sanchez took a hard shot that NJIT freshman goalkeeper Samantha Bersett caught. Two minutes later, Katie Higgins had a solid shot that Bersett stopped.

Iona's best chance to score came in the 29^th minute, when Chelsea Cabarcas lifted a shot that eluded Bersett, but Redden came back again and unfurled a bicycle kick that brought the ball out of the goal mouth. It was a brilliant play from someone in an unfamiliar slot. Redden had a spectacular game for the Highlanders.

“Red has played there before,” Gonzalez said of Redden. “She played there last year for us. I like the way she plays up front, but we had to slide her back tonight and that's what she brings to the table, solid play.”

The game remained scoreless at the half.

The Highlanders finally broke through and reached the scoreboard with a fine play in the 50^th minute.

Freshman midfielder Alex Adam brought the ball up the middle of the field and held possession for about 35 yards. Adam then passed the ball to the right wing where Ukaegbu secured the ball. She then passed in front to a streaking Morris, who stood all alone in front of the goal. Morris knocked it home for the go-ahead goal for NJIT. Adam and Ukaegbu were credited with assists on the play.

“It was a good soccer play,” Gonzalez said.

Ironically, Morris' goal was the first shot on goal of the match for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders had another chance in the 60^th minute, when Adam took a left-footed shot from 25 yards out that Iona keeper Trista Rivera gathered.

NJIT had another solid scoring opportunity in the 76^th minute, when freshman forward Madeline Griep took a left footed shot from in front, but it just sailed over the crossbar.

Iona then countered with a shot of its own. Safi Ayinde took a big left footed shot from the deep right wing from 25 yards out that Bersett caught.
“Sam absolutely bounced back and had a solid game,” Gonzalez said.

The game remained at 1-1 until the 87^th minute, when Frederick scored off the fine pass from Taylor.

“Iona is a good program and a lot like us,” Gonzalez said. “They're very similar to us. But we proved tonight that we continue to move in the right direction. We've had two ties this season that could have been losses, but we've matured enough to keep in it. We just have to find a way to win matches like these.”

The Highlanders return to action Thursday when they travel to Dartmouth. Their next home match is Sunday, Oct. 7 against Columbia at 7 p.m.
 
Write-up courtesy James Hague