NEWARK, NJ--The NJIT men's soccer team will wrap up a three-game homestand, hosting James Madison on Saturday, September 4 on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Gameday Information
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. The match will be streamed live on America East TV with in-game statistics available on www.NJITHighlanders.com .
All-Time Series
NJIT will host the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association Champions, James Madison, on Saturday which will mark the first meeting between the institutions.
NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Career Active List
NJIT graduate students Rene White and Regsan Watkins are ranked the top two in goals and points among NCAA Division I active career men's soccer leaders as of September 1.
White, from Bloomfield, NJ, ranks first in the NCAA in career goals (41) and points (89) while teammate Watkins, from Capetown, South Africa sits in second in goals (36) and points (87).
A 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-America first-team honoree, White currently ranks third in goals per game (0.66) and fourth in points per game (1.44).
At NJIT, White ranks third all-time in the record books in goals and fourth in points while holding the NJIT Division I record for total goals.
The 2021 America East Conference Striker of the Year, Watkins ranks fifth in goals per game (0.59) and points per game (1.43).
Watkins ranks fourth all-time at NJIT in goals and fifth in points. The Highlander forward played two seasons at Bloomfield College prior to attending NJIT, tallying 22 goals.
CollegeSoccerNews National Team of the Week | America East Player of the Week
White picked up two Player of the Week awards this week after scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist last week, earning CollegeSoccerNews Men's National Team of the Week and America East Offensive Player of the Week.
The Highlander forward scored twice and contributed an assist on Jose Escandon's goal in NJIT's 4-1 season opening win over Fairleigh Dickinson.
He also converted a penalty kick in NJIT's 2-2 tie with Rider.
Back to "New Normal"
After playing the 2020 campaign - its first season as a member of the America East Conference (joined the league on July 1, 2020 as the 10th full member institution) - during Spring 2021 and without fans, NJIT will have the chance to play a standard fall schedule in 2021 with fans back in attendance.
NJIT's 2021 schedule features a 17-match regular season slate, including 10 matches at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium, nine non-conference contests, eight America East Conference matches and three against NCAA Tournament participants. NJIT's fall spectator policy will allow fans to attend matches while wearing masks, regardless of vaccination status.
Last Time Out
NJIT's Watkins and 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.
America East Preseason Coaches' Poll
NJIT, which played its first season in the America East Conference in the Spring 2021, made the programs first-ever appearance in the postseason tournament after sitting atop Pod C with a 4-2 conference record, earning the No. 3 seed. NJIT finished the season with a 4-5-1 overall record.
The Highlanders were selected to finish third according to the vote of the nine league coaches in the 2021 Fall Preseason Coaches Poll.
Scouting the Opponent
James Madison, the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association Champions, enters Saturday's contest with a 1-1 overall record.
The defending Colonial Athletic Association champions were selected the preseason favorite and added five preseason All-CAA honors, which included two major awards.
Axel Ahlander was named Preseason Co-Midfielder of the Year and Melker Anshelm was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Joining the two on the Preseason All-CAA Team was Tyler Clegg, while Luca Erhardt and Alex Krakowiak were honorable mention selections.
Anshelm earned first team All-CAA and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first team. He scored a goal against UNCW and assisted on a goal against UCF while helping anchor down one of the best defenses in the country last season.
The team leader in goals (three) and points (seven) last season, Erhardt returns after starting all nine matches, earning second team All-CAA.
The Dukes kicked off the season at the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational against No. 1 Marshall, the defending national champion, dropping a 6-1 decision and picked up its first win of the season against Kansas City in game two of the Invitational.
Three different Dukes have scored one goal thus far this season -- Ahlande, Luca Erhardt and Clay Obara while Rodrigo Robles Grajera leads the team with two assists.
Next Up
NJIT's first road contest will be at BIG EAST Champions and NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearance participant Seton Hall on September 10. Last season, the two teams played to a 3-3 double overtime draw in Newark.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the NJIT Men's soccer season by following @NJITSoccer on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Soccer page on Facebook.
