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NEWARK, NJ–Junior Sergio Martinez Cubel scored the equalizer in the 81st minute as the NJIT men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Loyola Maryland in the season opener for both teams Thursday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
"We played against a tough opponent and one of the top teams in the Patriot League," ninth year head coach Fernando Barboto commented postgame. We equalized and had some good chances – hit the post, missed the open goal on the header but I thought we were more dangerous than they were tonight. Soccer is like that, the better team doesn't always win and sometimes it's just a draw."
Martinez Cubel scored on a late penalty to even the score at 1-1 in the 81st minute, netting his first goal of the season and third of his career.
Junior transfer Devin Armstrong made his Highlander debut in goal, stopping three Greyhound shots, including a punch out save over the net in the final minute after two headers by Loyola.
Throughout the first 45 minutes, the two best opportunities for NJIT were in the 25th minute on a shot by Heredia and Magoz three minutes later, both sailing high.
Loyola Maryland tallied the first goal of the game in the second half, on a shot by Charlie Herley in the 50th minute off a steal from the Highlander backline to give the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead.
NJIT had a pair of chances in the 57th and 59th minute, first on a header inside the box by Heredia which went wide and a close shot by senior Matt Moran was saved by Loyola's goalkeeper Dylan Van der Walt, who was named 2024 Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
The home team had another open net opportunity in the 67th minute on a shot by Magoz, sailing high as Van der Walt came out of the net.
Armstrong raised up and grabbed a save in the 72nd minute on a header by Oscar Halls.
In the 79th minute, Heredia received a short ball and turned quickly, firing the ball high.
NJIT held a 12-to-6 overall shots advantage in the 1-1 draw, paced by junior Alvaro Heredia, a 2023 America East second-team selection with three shots followed by Amit Magoz, Giovanni Massacesi and Cubel with a pair of shots.
NJIT will make its first road trip of the season on Monday, August 26, visiting La Salle in Philadelphia. Kickoff is slated for 7pm on ESPN+.
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