CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In its first match in program history against a ranked opponent, NJIT lost to No. 7 North Carolina, 5-0, on Sunday at Dorrance Field at Play2Dream Legacy Stadium.
The match also marked only the second-ever ACC opponent for NJIT. Additionally, it was just the fifth game against a power conference opponent in NJIT program history.
NJIT was tested defensively from the onset by one of the best offenses in the nation, but North Carolina went in front in the third minute when Riley Kennedy scored off an assist from Bella Devey. Summer Denigan converted a penalty kick in the 18th as the Tar Heels took a 2-0 lead into the half.
NJIT held North Carolina, which has scored 27 goals this season, to six shots at the half, though the Highlanders were only able to generate one of their own.
Coming out of the break,
Kaele Smith saved a Wylie Roossien shot in the opening minute before North Carolina made it 3-0 in the 49th on a Deus Stanislaus goal assisted by Amari Manning. Bella Devey converted a penalty kick in the 71st. North Carolina added a Chloe Shroff goal in the 88th to make it 5-0.
The Highlanders generated chances through
Kirra Hyder and
Taylor Stuart, with both shots saved by Peyton Trayer around a Highlanders corner kick. Smith later saved a Raegan Williams penalty attempt at 87:14. The Highlanders closed with a
Paige Eckert shot on goal, a corner kick, and a
Kennedy Westbrook attempt.
Offensively, NJIT picked up the tempo in that second half to the tune of a trio of shots against an North Carolina defense that has allowed just four goals all season.
Up Next
Sunday's test against one of the top teams in the nation was the Highlanders' final tune-up before America East Conference play begins next Sunday as the team hosts New Hampshire for senior day, set for 1:00pm at Lubetkin Field.
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