PISCATAWAY, NJ—Rutgers built at 2-0 lead in the first half and held off NJIT's second-half comeback attempt for a 2-1 victory Wednesday evening in non-conference men's soccer action at Yurcak Field.

Rutgers (3-9-1) had the better of the play in the opening 45 minutes as the Scarlet Knights outshot NJIT, 9-0, scoring in the 30^th minute and in the 34^th minute.

The home team got on the board in the 30^th minute, converting a penalty kick by Ryan Peterson, his third of the season for a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes later, the Scarlet Knights doubled the score on a shot by Miles Hackett from the top of the box, unassisted, pushing ahead, 2-0.

NJIT (7-5-2) had more of the ball in the second half than in the first as the visiting Highlanders outshot the Scarlet Knights, 10-5. 

The Highlanders scored its lone goal 10 minutes into the second half.  Senior Phillip Costa triggered the scoring play with a cross from the left side to co-captain Danny Cordeiro who put away his third goal of the season from eight yards out in the 56^th minute.

"I think we played extremely well, possessed our opponent for 90 minutes," head coach Fernando Barboto commented.  "We attacked all game and were in our attacking half and final third the whole second half.  We just ran out of time to tie the match.  An effort like this will ensure success in the remaining ASUN Conference matches."

A pair of opportunities for NJIT in the 63^rd minute, came off a header wide by senior Jack Flanagan and a shot high by Costa.

The Highlanders, applying pressure late in the half, had two shots blocked, first on a strike by senior Paulino Marques and header by 6-foot-5 defender Jonathan Onyeaka off a corner kick, in the 72^nd minute.

In the 79^th minute, NJIT senior Mamadou Guirassy, who ranks tied first in the nation in total goals, found an opening at the top of the 18, fired low but was picked up by Rutgers Rafael Pereira.

Freshman Thomas Radon's shot sailed high in the 83^rd minute and a final scoring opportunity for the Highlanders in the 88^th minute came on a header by Guirassy, saved by Pereira.

NJIT sophomore keeper Victor Pujades combined for five saves while Rutgers Pareira notched three saves in the win.

NJIT (2-1 ASUN, 7-5-2) will return to ASUN Conference action on Saturday, hosting Jacksonville (1-1-0 ASUN, 3-7-0) at 1pm on the campus of Kean University East Campus Facility.