Box Score Box score

NEWARK, NJ—Visiting Lafayette scored once in each half, good for a 2-0 women's soccer victory Sunday afternoon on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
               
Lafayette (3-1) got its first-half goal at 13:48, with junior Jaclyn Giordano finishing a 1-v-1 chance inside the left post against NJIT goalkeeper Samantha Bersett. The play began with a nice through pass from Allie Torru, who was credited with an assist. The second goal, 17:02 from the end, was scored on a one-timer from eight yards by Anna Wissler, who converted a crossing pass from the left side by Nicole Lee.
 
Lafayette outshot NJIT (1-5) by 12-5 in total shots and 7-2 in shots on goal. Lafayette freshman Danielle Sedillo made two stops in goal to earn the clean sheet and NJIT's Bersett recorded five saves.
 
One of Bersett's biggest saves came in the 35th minute, when she erased her own mistake. The trouble began when Bersett's clearing attempt was intercepted by Lafayette's Lee, who, with a clear look at the goal, got off a strong shot that Bersett saved at the right post.
 
Both NJIT shots on goal came from freshman Carly Berdan, while Madeline Griep had two shots that were off target for the Highlanders, who have not scored in three home games so far this season. Both Berdan shots came in the first half. Indeed, her initial try was the first shot of the game for either team at the two-minute mark and she later forced Sedillo to make a save in the 24th minute.
 
NJIT coach Mandi Risden was disappointed in the way her team started the game, especially in light of the fact that the visiting Leopards had played a Friday night game in Binghamton, NY, ahead of the Sunday visit to Newark, while the Highlanders, playing on their home field, had an extra day of rest, having last played on Thursday night.
 
"The energy level wasn't where we need it to be to start the game," said Risden. "As a result, we fell behind in the first half. We had more energy in the second half, but it wasn't enough."
 
Risden was looking ahead to the upcoming games minutes after the final whistle vs. Lafayette. "We're going to have to take a look at a lot of things to see what adjustments we can make," said the coach. "And we're going put our focus toward (Friday opponent) VMI and (Sunday opponent) Rider this weekend."
 
NJIT will host VMI on Friday at 3 pm on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

About 10 former Highlanders in attendance were recognized at halftime as part of Alumnae Day celebrations.