Post Game Interview w/ head coach Fernando Barboto
NEWARK, NJ–In front of a sold out crowd on move-in week, NJIT and UConn played to a 0-0 scoreless draw on Thursday evening at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
The attendance (1,028 fans) for Thursday's men's soccer match was the most fans at a home soccer event.
The match marked the home opener for the Highlanders, setting the stage for the 2025 campaign with a solid defensive performance. The Highlanders moved to 0-2-1 on the season while UConn now stands at 1-0-2.
The home team edged the Huskies in overall shots – 14-to-13 (5-to-4 SOG) paced by Sergio Martinez Cubel with four total shots, Giovanni Massacesi (3) and Diogo Rebelo (2).
Goalkeeper Devin Armstrong was credited with the clean sheet, playing the full 90 minutes, stopping four Husky shots.
"I think when you get a shutout, it means you battled, you were organized and your intensity level was good and we had that today," said 10th year head coach Fernando Barboto. "I think around the goal we need to get cleaner and more clinical but man we were close, we were really close with all the set pieces we worked on all week. I thought we were very dangerous, we just have to keep working and I know for a fact the next game we are going to score a goal."
In the 21st minute off a corner kick, NJIT's Martinez Cubel served the ball into the box, which was headed off a UConn defender and almost blasted home off a strike from Rebelo.
After the first 45 minutes of action, NJIT held an 8-to-6 paced by Rebelo and Martinez Cubel each with a pair of shots.
In the second half, the best opportunity for the Highlanders came in the 70th minute off a cross by Martinez Cubel from the left side into the box with a chance for a header but the cross sailed wide.
The last chance for the Highlanders in the contest with two seconds remaining was off a corner kick to a running Henrique Sardinha on the back post but the header went just wide.
Up Next
The Highlanders will break for nine days and return to action at home on September 6, hosting Rider at 6pm. The game will be broadcasted on America East TV.
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