America East Conference Semifinals Highlights
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DURHAM, NH--Vermont's Alex Nagy scored the only goal of the match and the No. 2 Catamounts held on for a 1-0 win over No. 3 NJIT in the America East Conference semifinals hosted by New Hampshire at Wildcats Stadium Thursday evening.
With the win, Vermont (5-1-1) will advance to the America East Conference finals on Saturday at 4pm against No. 1 New Hampshire (7-0-1).
America East All-Conference first-team honoree Nagy scored the lone goal of the match assisted by Garrett Lillie, a first-team selectee, at the 7:01 mark. The goal for Nagy was the first of the season.
Goalkeeper Nathan Silveira combined for his fourth shutout of the season, stopping five Highlander shots.
NJIT (4-5-1) concludes its Spring 2021 season with its first appearance in the America East Conference tournament since joining the league in July. NJIT picked up four All-Conference awards headed by Regsan Watkins, who was selected 2021 Striker of the Year.
"In soccer, the team that dominates doesn't always win," head coach Fernando Barboto said post game. "Today we dominated our opponent but came up short. We were out fouled 18-6, which is proof of which team dominated."
The Highlanders out-shot the Catamounts 12-9 led by Watkins with four shots followed by Sergio Pita (3) and Tomas Jorge (2). Sophomore keeper Samuel Reisgys made two saves in 90 minutes of action.
Watkins had the first good look of the match for the Highlanders in the sixth minute on a left-footed strike, just staying to the right of the frame.
Vermont struck in the eighth minute on a serve from the right side into the middle of the box, finding Alex Nagy, who headed home his first goal of the season to the right of the Highlander keeper to give the Catamounts 1-0 lead.
In the first 45 minutes, NJIT held a 6-4 advantage in shots paced by Watkins and Jorge with two each.
An early chance for the Highlanders one minute into the second half, came off the foot of Sergio Pita, whose shot sailed high right over the net.
In the 74th minute, Watkins dribbled past two Catamount defenders finding an open space but his shot was saved by Vermont keeper Nathan Silveira.
Another opportunity for the Highlanders came in the 83rd minute, after a corner kick by Alejandro Rabell. Jorge blasted a shot from the middle of the field which was deflected off a Catamount defender and collected by Pita who shot the ball off the back of his heel but was saved by Silveira.
Six NJIT Highlanders conclude their collegiate careers at NJIT -- Anthony Caruso, Tristan Parker, Nicholas Kozdron, Roberto Adamson Hernandez, Thomas Radon and Regsan Watkins.
Watkins, the Highlander senior from Capetown, South Africa, led the America East Conference in total goals (7) and points (17). His three assists ranks tied for fourth in the league.
His seven goals and 17 points this season ranks tied for fourth in the Division I era.
For his career, Watkins is the NCAA Division I active career leader in points (83) and ranks second in goals (35). Prior to joining the Highlanders in 2019, Watkins played two seasons (2017 & 2018) at Division II Bloomfield College, compiling 22 goals, six assists and 50 points. The two seasons with the Highlanders, Watkins has registered 13 goals, seven assists and 33 points.
Rene White concludes his stellar four-year career at NJIT, as the NJIT Division I career leader in goals (38) and points (82). White is the NCAA Division I active career leader in goals and ranks second in points.
