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VIDEO: NJIT Highlights at UConn

STORRS, CT–The NJIT men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season as UConn defeated visiting NJIT, 3-1, at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at Rizza Performance Center.

NJIT, ranked No. 4 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region poll this week, moves to 1-1-1 on the season with its lone goal scored by sophomore co-captain Goncalo Franco.  UConn, predicted to finish eighth in the Preseason Big East Coaches Poll, improves to 2-1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the 14th minute, Samuel Reisgys made a diving save to keep the home team off the board on a strike by Moussa Wade.

• UConn struck first in the 16th minute on a pass down the right sideline from Thomas Decottingnies to Frantz Pierrot who carried the ball low into the box. Pierrot crossed the ball to the center of the box, finding Wade who tucked the ball away to the bottom left of the Highlander keeper for a 1-0 advantage.

• NJIT with a pair of late opportunities in the first half, coming off a header by Asembo Augo which was blocked by the UConn defense and a blast by Franco sailed just left of the frame in the 43rd minute.

• Two minutes into the second half, Franco tied the match at 1-1 on a misplay by the UConn keeper, mishandling the ball off the Highlanders corner kick by Maximus Barboto.  Barboto was credited with the assist.

• The Huskies regained the lead, 2-1, in the 53rd minute on a goal by Soren Ilsoe assisted by Mateo Leveque.

• In the 57th minute, Jose Adames' strike from close range was saved by a diving UConn keeper to hold the one-goal advantage.

• UConn went ahead 3-1 in the 85th minute on a goal by Leveque assisted by Decottingnies, his second assist of the match.

NOTEWORTHY

• The goal for Franco was his first of the 2022 season and third of his young career.

• Barboto, reigning America East Conferene Rookie of the Week, tallied his second assist of his career.

• Reisgys finished the match with six saves, which matches his season high (six vs. Drexel on August 25).

• The game at UConn marks the first all-time meeting between the two schools.

• NJIT will play Villanova (0-1-1) from the Big East on September 14 in the programs first match up with the Wildcats. 

NEXT UP
NJIT will continue its opening season seven-match road swing at Iona on Tuesday, September 6 at 1pm.

Barboto spent 13 seasons at Iona, combining for a 116-103-27 overall record for a .526 winning percentage.  In 2009, the Gaels posted an overall record of 14-2-3, earning MAAC Coach of the Year honors for Barboto, and then went 15-4-1 two years later in 2011.  Iona under Barboto has had numerous conference award winners. In 2013 alone, the Gaels had five All-MAAC honorees, as well as three NSCAA All-Region selections, and 12 MAAC All-Academic picks.