Box Score NEWARK, NJ—NJIT women's soccer couldn't have asked for a better 2014 season opener, combining a flawless night in goal from junior keeper
Samantha Bersett and an attractive tally from sophomore
Carly Berdan in the 77th minute to key a 1-0 victory over visiting Canisius in the first game of the year for both teams Friday night on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Bersett, who set a program Division I record with six shutouts last year, began her junior season with an eight-save shutout, bringing her career total of clean sheets to 11.
Berdan, who shared the team goal-scoring lead with three as a freshman in 2013, netted the game-winner in the 2014 opener, capping a match that saw her regularly find gaps around the Canisius goal.
Junior
Madeline Griep assisted on the score with a chip to Berdan, who was free in front from about eight yards out. Berdan played the feed well, nodding it into the back of the net past Canisius goalkeeper Brigid St. Leger at 76:08.
The visitors, 6-14-1 overa last season, enjoyed a slim 11-10 advantage in overall shots and 9-2 lead in shots on goal. But the shots on goal totals were misleading, as some of NJIT's best chances were close, but not on frame.
Bersett made her eight saves and there was a team save for NJIT when senior defender
Jenny Cislo cleared an on-target shot off the goal line. St. Leger, a senior, made one save for the visitors from Buffalo, NY.
NJIT had the better of the possession in the early going, but it was Canisius that produced the first major threat. as Sabrina Fitzgerald broke free in the box, taking a feed from midfield and forcing NJIT's Bersett to make a diving stop to her right in the 27th minute.
Three minutes later, NJIT's Berdan got off a clear shot from 12 yards away that sailed just over the crossbar.
Bersett came up huge in the 33rd minute. Canisius, taking advantage of an NJIT giveaway just outside the penalty area, broke in on goal, with Samantha Gagliano making the steal and putting the ball at the feet of Mallory Illsley. One-v-one against Bersett, Illsley's point-blank try was parried wide of the far goal post by the NJIT junior. Illsley never rang the bell, but she was dangerous in the Golden Griffin attack, getting six shots overall, four on goal.
Canisius was the aggressor in the first 20 minutes of the second half, spending most of the time in NJIT's defensive side of the field. Bersett keot things level, laying the ground work that made Berdan's score into the game-winner.
NJIT, which began women's soccer at the NCAA Division III level in 1996, had not enjoyed success in season openers. The first season-opening win in program history came in 2001 and it wasn't until 2012, when the Highlanders won at Saint Peter's that they took another curtain raiser. However, Friday's win over Canisius made it two season-opening victories in the last three seasons for NJIT, which has been a Division I program since 2006.
NJIT returns to action on Sunday at 1 pm when the Highlanders host Hartford on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. Hartford, 11-6-3 overall in 2013, opened its 2014 season on Friday with a 1-0 victory at Bryant in Smithfield, RI. The Hartford goal was scored by 2013 America East Striker of the Year, Chanel Johnson.
