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Post Game and Highlights
NEWARK, NJ--NJIT's Regsan Watkins and Rene White each scored a goal while visiting Rider scored a goal in each half before the teams ended in a 2-2 draw in double overtime in non-conference men's soccer action Monday evening on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
The fast-paced and physical match saw Rider (0-1-1) edge NJIT (1-0-1) in overall shots (18-12). NJIT's Regsan Watkins led the Highlanders with five overall shots, including two on goal while Rider's Zaki Alibou led the match with seven total shots -- three on goal, including one goal.
Highlander junior keeper Samuel Reisgys played the full 110 minutes, stopping four Bronc shots while counterpart Pablo Gatinois combined for a pair of saves.
NJIT struck first in the 28th minute as Alejandro Rabell found Tomas Jorge in the middle of the field and slipped a perfect pass in-between a pair of Rider defenders to Regsan Watkins, who tucked away his first goal of the season, giving NJIT a 1-0 lead.
Alibou blasted a shot from outside the box in the 32nd minute, hitting the left post and eight minutes later Francisco Gomez Olana, 2021 Preseason All-MAAC team, scored his first goal of the season on a second opportunity, following an Alibou pass into the box, knotting the score at 1-1.
Fifth-year senior Rene White put the Highlanders ahead in the 39th minute on a penalty kick, finishing down the middle for his third goal of the season and 41st of his career, which leads active NCAA Division I men's soccer.
Rider evened the score at 2-2 in the 74th minute on a diving header in the box by Alibou off a beautiful cross from Sergio Aguinaga for the equalizer.
Visiting Rider continued its offensive pressure late in the match with a pair of shots in the 77th minute and in the 80th minute NJIT's Reisgys recorded an exceptional right-footed save on a shot by Justin Ruffino.
Watkins recorded the Highlanders first shot of the second half in the 83rd minute on a running shot just outside the top of the box, which sailed high.
Rider had a dangerous scoring opportunity in the 104th minute by fifth-year senior Regis Dulck but the NJIT backline made the clear off the line.
Neither team could find the back of the net the rest of the way as the game ended in a draw after 110 minutes.
NJIT will return to action on Saturday, September 4 when the Highlanders host the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association Champions, James Madison. Kickoff is set for 4pm on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium as part of a doubleheader with NJIT women's soccer team who will host Saint Peter's at 12 Noon.
