| Game 8 |
at Columbia (3-2-1) |
| Date | Time |
Friday, September 20, 2019 | 6:00 pm |
| Location | Arena |
New York, N.Y. | Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium |
| All-Time Series |
Columbia leads 2-0-1 |
| Live Stats |
In-Game Statistics |
| Live Video |
ESPN+ ($) |
NEWARK, N.J. --- NJIT Women's Soccer (3-2-2) will wrap up its non-conference schedule on Friday evening with a road matchup against the Columbia Lions at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium in New York.
LAST TIME OUT
The Highlanders pushed their current unbeaten streak to four games with a 1-1 draw against the LIU Sharks last Friday. The match was the first for NJIT (3-2-2) against the recently rebranded Sharks, who combined their Division I Brooklyn and Division II Post campuses this year. NJIT found itself down a score early (3') after LIU (1-4-1) cleaned up a rebounded shot and netted only their second goal of the year. Tara Walenczyk brought the Highlanders even a quarter of the way through the second half (57'), converting on a one-on-one opportunity near the right side of the six-yard box. Overall, the Highlanders played well despite being down for much of the first half. NJIT outshot LIU 14-8, including a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal. The NJIT defense held its ground after LIU's goal, only needing goalkeeper
Molly Saylor to make one save in the contest.
STAYING UNBEATEN
A win or tie against Columbia would extend NJIT's unbeaten streak to five games, matching the five-game run the team went on last season from August 19 to September 2 (four wins, one tie). NJIT has produced a pair of six-game unbeaten runs since joining Division I - six straight wins in 2017 (Aug. 30 - Sept. 17) and four wins plus two ties in 2016 (Aug. 19 - Sept. 4).
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
The Highlanders currently rank first in the ASUN Conference in goals against average (.532; 22nd in NCAA) and save percentage (.871; 26th in NCAA) while Molly Saylor is pacing the league in GAA (.619; 37th in NCAA) and save percentage (.867; 34th in NCAA).
SAYLOR EARNS FIRST ASUN HONOR
For her efforts in the first two games of the season, Saylor earned the ASUN Conference's first Defensive Player of the Week award of the season. Saylor ended last weekend with a 0.43 goals against average, a .909 save percentage, one shutout and ten saves in 207:09 of playing time against UMBC at home and Maryland on the road.
ALL-TIME SERIES
NJIT and Columbia will be meeting for the fourth time in their history and the first time since the two teams played to a scoreless draw on October 12, 2014 in Newark.
SCOUTING COLUMBIA
Columbia is 3-2-1 on the year. The Lions had won three straight over Fordham, Rider, and Saint Joseph's before losing their last match at Hofstra on September 15. Columbia is led by Cayla Davis (2 goals, 1 assist), Mallaika Tomar (2 G), and Liz Matei (all 6 starts, 1.29 GAA, .765 save percentage, 26 saves)
NEW ERA FOR NJIT ATHLETICS
Women's Soccer's opener against UMBC was the first regular season game played on NJIT's new field, which was completed this summer. It also marked the first on-campus contest for the Highlanders' three outdoor teams - women's soccer, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse - since November 7, 2015.
For more information on the project, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/30jV1hA.
2019 OUTLOOK
NJIT will have 19 returners and seven newcomers on the roster as the Highlanders look to follow up on a historic 2018 campaign that saw the team set a program record for wins (11) and finish as the regular season runner-up in the ASUN Conference.
The Highlanders will be led by 2018 ASUN Coach of the Year Ally Nick, ASUN Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection Fiona Wright (11 goals in 2018), and Second Team All-ASUN honoree Nicole Loehle (2 goals; started 17 games for ASUN's 4th-ranked defense at 1.17 goals allowed per game).
NEXT UP
NJIT will begin ASUN Conference play on Thursday, September 26 with a 2 p.m. home matchup against Stetson. The game will serve as Faculty and Staff Day, with all NJIT faculty and staff receiving free admission with their NJIT ID.
