NEWARK, N.J. --- The NJIT women's soccer team opened ASUN Conference play with a 2-0 home victory over the Stetson Hatters Thursday after at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
The win was the first in three games for the Highlanders (4-3-2, 1-0 ASUN) and keeps the Highlanders unbeaten on their new home field this year (3-0-1).
"Before the game, the staff talked with the team about how the game intensity increases in conference play," head coach
Ally Nick said after the victory. "I was very proud of our team and how we responded and battled for everything. We need to keep that mindset from all players moving forward. Sunday at North Alabama is a big game and we will start preparing now to get points on the road."
NJIT and Stetson (2-7-1) played each other evening throughout the first 45 minutes but the Highlanders used a late surge to ultimately decide the match. In the 41st minute, Fiona Wright scored her team-leading third goal of the season on a misdirection set piece from just outside of 18-yard box line.
Alexis Magruder added her second score of the year to the stat sheet, taking a Lauren Chamberlain pass and beating Stetson's outstretched keeper high from the right corner of the box.
OTHER NOTES
- NJIT improved to 2-2 in ASUN Conference openers under head coach Ally Nick.
- Wright extended her NJIT Division I school record for goals with her 14th career strike.
- The Highlanders made the most of their opportunities - despite taking half as many shots as Stetson (8-16), NJIT was able to net the only two goals of the game.
- Molly Saylor nearly matched the new career high in saves she set against Columbia, sending away eight shots on the afternoon.
NEXT UP
NJIT will look to make it two in a row in conference play on Sunday, September 29 when the Highlanders hit the road to face North Alabama. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
