Goncalo Franco Scores Brace in 4-1 Home Opening Victory Over Villanova

Published: Friday, September 1, 2023

Co-captain Goncalo Franco scored a brace in NJIT's 4-1 home-opening win over Villanova Thursday evening in men's soccer non-conference action at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

NJIT registers its first win of the young season, moving to 1-2-0 while Villanova drops to 0-2. Thursday marked the second all-time meeting between the two schools, with Villanova taking the first meeting (3-0; September 14, 2022) and the Highlanders evening the series after a 4-1 win in Newark.

NJIT Highlights vs. Villanova 

The Highlanders scored three goals after the first 45 minutes and tallied one goal in the second half. NJIT goal scorers were: Franco (5:06), Franco (32:27), Andrea Campoli (41:57) and Ramchwy St. Vil (56:26).

QUOTE FROM COACH

"We came out with a level of intensity, speed and pressured the ball in the second half which was the difference from the first," eighth-year head coach Fernando Barboto added postgame. "It was a great crowd – they were loud and supportive which ignited our team to give a little more. It was great to get a win over a Big East squad and win our home opener. When you play at home it has to be special and we certainly made it special tonight."

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Villanova scored thirteen seconds into the match off a Highlander turnover on a goal by Vincent Petrera assisted by Balthi Saunders.

  • Franco scored the equalizer in the sixth minute on a blast from outside the box after collecting the ball off a clearance from a Villanova defender to tie the match at 1-1.

  • Franco connected on his second goal of the match in the 33rd minute to give NJIT a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Maximus Barboto, the 2022 America East Rookie of the Year, served a ball into the box off a corner kick, finding Enrqiue Mutsoli whose header was directed back to the middle of the box where Franco blasted home his second of the night.

  • NJIT added another goal by Campolil in the 42nd minute off a set piece by Barboto.

  • NJIT held a slight edge in the first 45 minutes in overshots 7-6 (4-3 SOG). Franco led the Highlanders with three shots.

  • Transfer Ramchwy St. Vil scored his first goal in an NJIT uniform in the 57th minute on a left-footed strike inside the box off a nice pass from Alvaro Heredia to give NJIT a 4-1 advantage.

  • Graduate student keeper Samuel Reisgys combined for three saves to earn the win.

  • The Wildcats edged the Highlanders in overall shots (13-10) while NJIT held a 5-4 shots on goal advantage and 9-6 in corner kicks.

NOTEWORTHY

  • Franco, who missed the last five games in 2022 due to injury, has two goals in three matches for four points.

  • The goal for NJIT's Campoli was his second collegiate goal of his young career.

  • St. Vil a transfer from St. Francis Brooklyn recorded his first goal as a Highlander. As a Terrier, St. Vil netted five goals.

  • Last year, NJIT scored four goals against Hartford (Oct. 18; 4-0) and Bryant (Nov. 1; 4-0).

NEXT UP
NJIT will travel to Loyola on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.