Video Highlights at FIU
MIAMI, FL—Senior forward
Mamadou Guirassy scored a pair of goals for NJIT as the Highlanders and FIU played to a 2-2 draw after regulation due to lighting and heavy rainfall in the area Friday evening at FIU Soccer Stadium.
The Highlanders, who debuted ranked No. 10 in the Southeast Region this week, remained undefeated, moving to 2-0-1 on the season while FIU, ranked No. 3 in the Southeast Region, stands at 1-0-2 on the young season.
NJIT remains the lone undefeated team in the ASUN Conference.
Guirassy, an ASUN Conference second-team honoree and Division I All-Southeast Region third-team selection last season, has three goals on the season and 13 for his career, which ranks the senior tied for second in the NJIT Division I records.
The home team held a 15-6 advantage in shots and 6-0 in corner kicks in the 2-2 draw.
Guirassy and
Andrew Nino were the only Highlanders to combine for a shot, each recording three.
FIU's forward Santiago Patino had an opportunity to score in the sixth minute, getting past two NJIT defenders but sophomore keeper
Victor Pujades made the early stop.
NJIT nearly scored the opening goal by Guirassy, who received a pass at the midfield and went for a long run down the sideline but his shot went over the cross bar from the tight angle.
In the 39
th minute, Nino got past the FIU goalkeeper and shot with his left foot but the shot was blocked.
FIU broke through with thirty-two seconds remaining in the first period (44
th minute) on a goal by midfielder Marvin Hezel assisted by defender Deshawon Nembhard off a corner kick.
The visitors had an early scoring opportunity in the second half, as Guirassy got behind the defense and stepped through but couldn't get around keeper.
On a counter attack by the Highlanders, senior captain
Danny Cordeiro was taken down inside the box. Guirassy put away his second goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 54
th minute, knotting the game at 1-1.
FIU created a shot to score in the 59
th minute by Alessandro Campoy but NJIT's Pujades came up with the save.
Guirassy scored the go-ahead goal in the 69
th minute for NJIT, with a through ball behind the FIU defense and keeper, tucking away second of the game and third of the season. Freshman
Thomas Radon was credited with the assist.
FIU found momentum and got the equalizer in the 72
nd minute on a goal by midfielder Paul Marie, his first of the season, knotting the game at 2-2.
Panthers Patino nearly scored from 25 yards away in the 73
rd minute but Highlander keeper Pujades made a diving save.
Campoy had an opportunity for the Panthers in the 79
th minute but his shot sailed high.
Pujades stopped five Panther shots in 90 minutes of action while counterpart Hugo Fauroux posted one save.
NJIT will return to action on Sunday at FAU. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30pm. The Owls own a 3-0 all-time series record and last met in 2007 when the two teams competed in the Atlantic Soccer Conference.
