NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT men's soccer team will conclude its short two match road swing on Thursday, August 29 at UConn.
Game Information
Thursday's match is slated for 7:00pm at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at Rizza Performance Center on the campus of UConn in Storrs, CT. The match will be streamed live on UConn+ with in-game statistics available on UConnHuskies.com
All-Time Series
Thursday's match marks the second all-time meeting between the two teams. NJIT visited UConn in 2022 with the Huskies coming out on top, 3-1.
September 2, 2022 | UConn 3, NJIT 1 | Storrs, CT
Last Time Out
Three different players scored their first goals in an NJIT men's soccer uniform Monday evening as the Highlanders registered a 3-0 shutout victory on the road at La Salle inside McCarthy Stadium.
A pair of transfers – Raz Amir and Sokol Ymeraj scored the first two goals, while freshman Andrew Araya scored his first collegiate goal in the second half.
Araya and Giovanni Massacesi tallied their first collegiate assist while freshman goalkeeper Evan Chomow made his college debut, recording the shutout and stopping six saves in 72 minutes of action.
Reigning America East Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week
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. Martinez Cubel netted his first goal of the season and third of his career. This was the first career weekly honor for Martinez Cubel.
News & Notes
–Head coach Fernando Barboto begins his ninth season at NJIT after guiding the 2023 Highlanders to its fourth straight America East Tournament appearance and third America East semifinals, finishing with an overall record of 7-8-4 overall record, 3-2-2 in the America East.
–NJIT recorded two wins over nationally ranked Vermont last season – upset No. 15 Vermont (Oct. 7), the first time defeating a ranked team since 2015 and took down No. 14 Vermont, 2-1, for a second time in the same season in the 2023 #AEMSOC Quarterfinals.
–America East second team selection Alvaro Heredia returns as the Highlanders top goal scorer from a season ago (5G, 2A)
–Co-captain Goncalo Franco ranked tied for third on the team (3G)
–There will be a new face in goal for the Highlanders after Samuel Reisgys, a three-time America East All-Academic team honoree concluded his five-year career at NJIT as the Highlanders all-time career saves leader with 304 career saves and played in his 78 career matches, which is a new NJIT DI career mark.
–NJIT features three goalkeepers on the 2024 roster: Devin Armstrong (transfer from Akron/Wake Forest), Sebastian Ibanez (transfer from Lincoln Memorial) and a true freshman Evan Chomow.
–Fifteen newcomers joined the Highlanders in 2024 (eight transfers and seven freshman)
–NJIT was voted to finish fifth in the 2024 America East Preseason Coaches Poll
Scouting UConn
–The Huskies are coming off a 9-8-1 record a season ago, making an appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinal match for the first time since 2012.
–Senior forward Scott Testori led the Huskies with eight goals a season ago. Testori was the lone Husky named to the preseason All-BIG EAST team.
–UConn returns the Co-BIG EAST Freshman of the Year in Kieran Chandler. Chandler was fifth on the roster with eight points last season, scoring two goals and tallied four assists.
–The UConn men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 6-0 win over Stonehill on Thursday night. The Huskies had five different goal scorers in the match marking their largest goal output since 2019.
Next Up
After a two match road swing, NJIT will return back home and welcome Saint Peter's on September 7. Kickoff is slated for 7pm on Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with the latest news and scores on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITSoccer) and liking NJIT Men's Soccer on Facebook.