Post Game Interview with Coach Nick

HILLSIDE, NJ—Carly Berdan registered the only goal of the match and Karen David posted the shutout in NJIT's 1-0 win over visiting USC Upstate in the season finale for the Highlanders Saturday afternoon.

With the win over USC Upstate, the Highlanders set a program record for wins in a season (9) and finish above .500 (9-8 overall).  NJIT concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 7-3 mark and went 6-2 at home.

Berdan scored the only goal of the game, assisted by Briana Hackos in the 68^th minute.  Hackos carried the ball down the side and along the baseline, beat her first defender and found Berdan waiting in the box, tucking away her third goal of the season.
 

And the @njithighlanders get on the scoreboard first, as @carlyberdan puts one in assisted by @bri_hackos!! 1-0 NJIT pic.twitter.com/pZfykeusRE

— ASUN Soccer ? (@ASUNSoccer) October 21, 2017

The graduate student finishes her career with 10 goals, which ranks tied for second in the Division I era and tied for third in program history.  Her 25 career points ranks second in the D1 era and seventh all-time.

David recorded her second win and shutout of the season, wrapping up her career with nine wins and eight shutouts.  Her eight career shutouts and 209 saves both rank third in the D1 era.

The visiting Spartans were favored in overall shots 21-11 and corner kicks 7-2.

USC Upstate fired the first shot of the match in the 10^th minute, which sailed high by Emma Honis.

An opportunity for the Highlanders in the 21^st minute came on a chip shot over the top of the frame by freshman Katrina Nguyen-Demary.

In the 23^rd minute, Berdan took a long strike, coming off the bench for NJIT but her shot was picked up by Brooke Bailey.

USC Upstate had two chances in the 36^th minute on a header by Emelie Valenciano and a second shot by Jade Hudson, which was blocked by the Highlander backline.

The Spartans with an opportunity to score in the final seconds of the first half on a shot by Delaney Bussey from the top of the box but Highlander keeper Karen David made a diving save.

In the second half, Kate Winegarner took a long shot in the 51^st minute but NJIT's David elevated and punched the ball out over the cross bar, resulting in a corner kick.
 

.@UpstateWSoccer is outshooting @njithighlanders 19-10, however @kdavesss keeps making saves left and right! David has five saves thus far pic.twitter.com/yxQJJ97MhZ

— ASUN Soccer ? (@ASUNSoccer) October 21, 2017

Spartans Isabella Burns, from 20 yard out, blasted a shot from the top of the box, just nipping the cross bar in the 54^th minute.

The visitors with back-to-back chances in the 76^th and 77^th minute on a blast from Isabella Burns 25 yards out saved by David as Ellis followed up with a left-footed shot, which sailed wide.

Amelia Sapirman, the lone senior on the Highlander roster, appeared in 13 matches, combining for seven wins, four shutouts and 51 saves, including a .773 save percentage. 

Hackos led the Highlanders with four goals, two assists and 10 points followed by Berdan with three goals, two assists and eight points.

Junior co-captain Arianna Gerber, who missed the last seven games due to injury, paced the Highlanders with three assists.  Her nine career assists is the most in the Division I era and ranks third all-time with one season remaining.