SMITHFIELD, RI - The NJIT men's soccer team was defeated for the first time in America East play this season on Sunday as the Highlanders fell 5-0 to host Bryant at Beirne Stadium.

The Highlanders are now 5-6-3 on the season and 2-1-1 in America East play, while Bryant improved to 11-1-2 overall and 1-1-2 in conference action. 

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Javi Gonzalex scored a goal assisted by Marc Pitarch Bayot.

Bryant's lead remained 1-0 as the teams went to their respective locker rooms for halftime, but the hosts broke the game open with two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Pitarch Bayot scored his sixth goal of the season in the 48th minute and Adrian Camacho's unassisted goal in the 55th minute made the score 3-0.

The Bulldogs added two more goals courtesy of Inigo Villadea and Blasco Gomez to make the final result 5-0. 

Samuel Reisgys made three saves for the Highlanders. NJIT's lone shot on goal was saved by Bryant goalkeeper Antreas Hadjigarviel. 

The Highlanders currently sit in a tie for second place in the America East standings with seven points, trailing first place Vermont by two points. Each America East squad has three games remaining with NJIT's coming against New Hampshire (six points; fourth place), UMBC (seven points; tied second place) and UAlbany (four points; seventh place). The top six of eight America East teams will qualify for the 2023 America East Championship.

NJIT's game against New Hampshire will take place next Saturday at 6pm in Durham, NH.