SPARTANBURG, SC – NJIT women's soccer won the program's first-ever ASUN conference match, rolling to a 3-0 shutout victory over USC Upstate at County University Stadium on Saturday.
The Highlanders (5-4-2, 1-0-0 ASUN) snapped its four-match losing streak and scoring drought with the win over the Spartans (0-9-2, 0-1-0 ASUN).
NJIT had three different goal scorers Saturday, highlighted by sophomore
Neema Liverpool's fifth goal of the season, which ties the NJIT Division I record for goals in a season. The record is held with
Kori Washington, who netted five goal in 2007. Liverpool's eight career goals ranks third all-time in the Division I era (record held by
Kori Washington; 12).
The Highlanders got going early, when sophomore
Nicole Baldassini scored her third goal of the season in the 9
th minute. The sophomore capitalized on a loose ball in the box off a blocked shot taken by teammate
Arianna Gerber to the give NJIT a 1-0 lead.
At the half, NJIT led 1-0 on Baldassini's lone goal.
In the second half, the Highlanders tallied two more goals.
Fifth-year senior
Kaelyn Gamel scored the Highlanders second goal of the match when teammate
Carly Berdan touched the ball up to Gamel, broke away from the Upstate defense and beat the keeper one-on-one in the 50
th minute for a 2-0 advantage.
The third and final goal of the match for NJIT came in the 78th minute from Highlanders leading scorer Liverpool. The sophomore stole the ball outside of the box and beat Upstate keeper Brooke Bailey, who ranks first in the NCAA for total saves.
The Spartans outshot the visiting Highlanders 19-16 as shots on goal were even at 8-8.
Highlander goalkeeper
Karen David tallied eight saves in her third shutout of the season while Bailey stopped five Highlander shots.
NJIT will return to action on September 30 when the Highlanders travel to DeLand, Florida to visit Stetson. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.
