NEW ROCHELLE, NY–Jose Adames and Goncalo Franco scored two first half goals for NJIT but the Highlanders dropped a 3-2 non-conference road decision at Iona Tuesday afternoon at Mazzella Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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NJIT got on the board in the 21st minute off a corner kick by Maximus Barboto, who found Jose Adames in the middle of the box for a 1-0 advantage.
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A minute later, Iona scored the equalizer on a goal by Camil Azzam Ruiz, just past NJIT's keeper Samuel Reisgys for a 1-1 match. Frederick Johnson Oee was credited with the assist.
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Three minutes after Iona's first goal, the Gaels went ahead, 2-1, on Azzam Ruiz 'second goal of the match assisted by Ricardo Senen Pinillos.
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NJIT evened the match at 2-2 in the 25th minute with an impressive bicycle kick from co-captain Goncalo Franco. Graduate transfer Jose Del Valle received a pass from Adames, from the left side of the field, heading the ball to Goncalo who scored the Highlander goal.
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Just before the half concluded, Iona regained the lead on a shot by Kendell Thomas over the Highlander keeper for a 3-2 advantage. Joe Wright tallied the assist for the Gaels.
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In the 53rd minute, Justin Aguirre-Rosa's left-footed shot hit the post, just sailing to the left.
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Freshman Enrique Mutsoli had a scoring chance in the 77th minute but Iona's Juan Alfaro Monge made the save.
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NJIT had an opportunity in the final seconds of regulation on a shot by Franco which went wide.
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Reisgys finished the match with two saves while his counterpart, Alfaro Monge made four stops to register the win.
NOTEWORTHY
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The goal by Franco was his second consecutive goal this season (at UConn; September 2). Franco has two goals on the season and four for his career.
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Maximus Barboto has registered an assist in each of NJIT's last three matches (at James Madison; August 28, at UConn; September 2 and at Iona). Barboto earned America East Rookie of the Week on August 29.
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Del Valle, a transfer from Northwestern, picks up his first assist in a Highlander uniform. Del Valle will pursue his masters in Management at NJIT.
NEXT UP
NJIT will return to action on Saturday, September 10 at La Salle. Kickoff is slated for 7pm on ESPN+. In the last meeting in Newark, La Salle topped NJIT, 2-1, scoring the game-winner in the 83rd minute.
