TEANECK, NJ – NJIT men's soccer dropped a 3-2 non-conference match to LIU-Brooklyn at FDU on Tuesday afternoon.
"We started very well and got the Penalty kick awarded but didn't score again," head coach
Fernando Barboto stated after the match. "We dominated the first half fully. Second half we let the game slip away at moments even though we tied the game back up at 1-1 immediately. We ran out of time at 3-2 to a good LIU side. We need to be better defensively."
As Barboto stated the Highlanders dominated most of the first half, even earning themselves a penalty kick in the sixth minute taken by leading goal scorer
Rene White but saved by Blackbird keeper Sam Ilin.
The Highlanders (5-3) outshot LIU 6-5 (5-3-1) in the first half, and did not allow a shot on goal.
All five goals were scored in the second half, starting with Giuseppe Barone in the 59
th minute, grabbing his first goal of the season.
Just 52 seconds later,
Thomas Radon netted his first goal of the year off a pass from
Pablo Jimenez across the box, tying the score at 1-1.
The Blackbirds regained the lead when Rasmus Hansen ripped a shot to the top left corner in the 70
th minute.
Less than five minutes later, LIU added on to their lead with a goal by Romario Guscott that would be the eventual game-winner.
NJIT never relented, and White tallied his seventh goal of the season in the final minute of play.
Ilin grabbed four saves in the win, and Highlander goalkeeper
Victor Pujades made three saves for his team.
Men's soccer will travel to Florida next for a match on September 29 against ASUN opponent Jacksonville starting at 7pm.
