STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Taylor Stuart scored late in the first half which was all that NJIT's defense, along with keepers
Penelope Krieger and
Kaele Smith, needed to preserve a 1-0 victory over Wagner Thursday night at Hameline Field in Staten Island.
With the teams locked in a defensive battle in the 43rd minute, Stuart lofted a high-arching shot on the target from about 25 yards out from the right flank. The ball grazed the crossbar on the upper left side and landed inside the goal line to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead, which would hold for the duration.
It is the second-career goal for the freshman from Washington Township, N.J. The goal was unassisted.
NJIT keepers Krieger and Smith split the game in goal and blanked a Wagner offense that out-shot the Highlanders, 10-6, seven of which came in the second half.
Smith finished with four saves while locking down the second half charge from Wagner. Krieger made a pair of stops in the first.
Smith and NJIT's defense rose to the occasion under pressure late in the game, thwarting three shots and a pair of corners within the final nine minutes of play.
NJIT improves to 2-2-1 and will look to go above .500 when it hits the pitch next on Sunday at home against Monmouth. Start time is slated for 1:00 pm.
