NEWARK, NJ -- The NJIT women's soccer team fell to Drexel, 2-1, in a contest that saw all three scores occur during the first half on Sunday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Drexel opened the scoring 14th minute on a goal from Reese Power and then broke a 1-1 tie in the 44th on a finish from Alex Rivera just 38 seconds before halftime. The Dragons out-shot the Highlanders, 15-10, and also controlled the edge in shots on target at 6-3.
With NJIT trailing, 1-0,
Kirra Hyder got a touch on a ball from
Mathilda Hellmich in the 35th minute and sent it just beyond the goal line to equalize things for the Highlanders. The play was initially ruled a goal and confirmed by VAR, giving the York, PA, native her first goal and points of the season.
The assist from Hellmich is the first point of her Division I career. The junior midfielder from Billerbeck, Germany, was playing in her third career game at the level after spending the previous two seasons at NJCAA member Monroe Community College.
Hyder added another shot on target for the Highlanders in the 59th minute, but it was denied by Drexel keeper Gracie Sullivan.
Taylor Stuart also saw an earlier attempt at the goal stopped by Sullivan in the 46th.
NJIT keepers
Kaele Smith and
Penelope Krieger each notched a pair of saves while splitting the game in net.
NJIT returns to action on Thursday with a trip to Staten Island to take on Wagner at 7 pm.
