Box Score
 
NEWARK, NJ—NJIT and Quinnipiac battled through 90 minutes of regulation and an additional 20 minutes of overtime in women's soccer, but neither team could score, so they settled for a hard-fought 0-0 tie at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium Friday night.
 
The deadlock pushed the Highlanders' record to 2-4-1, while Quinnipiac moved to 3-0-1 overall.
 
The Highlanders had two golden opportunities to break the scoreless deadlock in regulation and overtime.
 
With just two seconds remaining in regulation, Highlander freshman forward Abi Fakolujo fired a shot that Quinnipiac goalkeeper Natalie Grodzki corralled to send the match to overtime.
 
In the closing moments of overtime, Highlander freshman midfielder Madeline Griep floated a shot that went just wide right of the goal.
 
The game was played after a 40-minute delay due to thunder and lightning.
 
The Bobcats had the first real scoring chance in the first minute of play. Keshema Woodfine hit a shot from the top of the box that eluded NJIT freshman net minder Samantha Bersett, but the shot clunked off the crossbar.
 
Griep had a good chance from 25 yards out, but her shot from the right side clipped the outside edge of the goalpost.
 
In the second half, Quinnipiac's Kat Young fired a shot from inside the penalty area that was blocked nicely by Highlander freshman defender Emmy Hattle with just 15 minutes remaining.
 
With eight minutes left, the Bobcats had a chance to score, when Crystal Burns' free kick from 35 yards out was placed perfectly in front to Shauna Edwards, but Edwards' header attempt sailed just wide.
 
Quinnipiac held a 10-7 advantage in shots. Bersett made two saves to secure the clean sheet for the Highlanders.
 
NJIT head coach Sergio Gonzalez was pleased with his team's performance.
 
“They're a very good team,” Gonzalez said. “I knew we were going to be in for a battle and it's exactly what we thought. I think both teams created some chances, but nothing too drastic. We were able to fight through and get a draw. We were a little more dangerous on the ball and did a little more with the ball, which I liked.”
 
Junior forward Amanda Redden was able to get off three shots to lead the Highlanders. Gonzalez liked the play of his midfield, naming Griep and freshman Alex Adam.
 
“Alex Adam has been playing with a hip injury and she grinded it out for us tonight,” Gonzalez said. “[Senior midfielder] Meryl Hershfield played a very physical game for us. We buckled down and got the clean sheet against a good team. It's never a bad thing to get a clean sheet against a good team. We had some good chances in the end, but I think the tie was a fair result.”
 
The Highlanders return to action Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they play host to Wagner at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
 
Write-up courtesy James Hague