NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT men's soccer team earned a 0-0 home draw against visiting UMBC in the final home regular season America East Conference men's soccer match on Senior Night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium on the campus of NJIT.
"This was a typical America East Conference match, very physical, contested and tight back and forth with no one wanting to give an inch," eighth-year head coach Fernando Barboto commented postgame. "I thought we had chances in the second half to force their goalkeeper to make some really good saves but it ended in 0-0.
NJIT tallied one point and sits in fifth place with the 0-0 draw against UMBC, moving to 5-7-4 overall, 2-2-2 in the America East. The Highlanders clinched a spot into the 2023 America East Conference Men's Soccer Postseason Tournament for the fourth straight season since joining the America East in July 2020.
"It's always great for the guys to make the postseason – this is our fourth straight berth to make the playoffs in the America East (we did three times in the ASUN). It gives us an extended season and playoffs are always exciting."
In pregame ceremonies, NJIT honored its graduating seniors – Samuel Reisgys, Jordi Navio Sanchez, Kendell Thomas, Matthew Heffernan, Caden Pellito, Furkan Yildirim and David Santiago.
Senior goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys, the Highlanders all-time career saves leader with 287, made three saves Friday night. The keeper from Rimbach, Germany, played in his 75th career match, which is one match shy of the NJIT Division I mark (76, held by Rene White '21).
UMBC held an advantage in overall shots (19-6) as NJIT edged the Retrievers 4-3 on shots on goal. Six different Highlanders – Goncalo Franci, Maximus Barboto, Andrea Campoli, Cristian LoGrasso, Jack Krongold and Asembo Augo each registered a shot.
NJIT will conclude the regular season on the road at UAlbany on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31 at 7pm.
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