NJIT Rolls to a 4-1 America East Win Over UMass Lowell

Published: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Jordi Navio Sanchez netted his first goal of his career.

On a rainy Saturday night, NJIT rolled to a 4-1 home victory over visiting UMass Lowell in the America East Conference opener for both teams at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

VIDEO: NJIT Highlights

VIDEO: Post Game Interview vs. UML

NJIT scored a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the match and added two goals in the second half to record its first league victory of the season, moving to 4-3-2 overall, 1-0-0 in the America East. UMass Lowell added a goal in the 88th minute and fell to 2-3-2 overall, 0-1-0 in the league.

In the Highlanders win, four different players scored goals: Alvaro Heredia (1:18), Jordi Navio Sanchez (5:36), Maximus Barboto (51:51) and Enrique Mutsoli (69:55). Five different players were credited with assists: Navio Sanchez, Sergio Martinez Cubel, Asembo Augo, Hugo Tavares and Heredia.

From the Coach
"I think we came out from the first whistle with a very high level of intensity regardless of the conditions of the field and the weather," eighth-year head coach added postgame. "We talked about conviction in the attacking third and I think we got that today."

How It Happened 

  • NJIT scored in the second minute as Sergio Martinez Cubel, carrying the ball into the middle of the field and slipping the ball past two UMass Lowell defenders to Jordi Navio Sanchez on the right side of the field finding Alvaro Heredia inside the box touches home the Highlanders first goal of the match.
  • The Highlanders doubled its score in the sixth minute on a goal by Jordi Navio Sanchez assisted by Hugo Tavares and Asembo Augo. Tavares chipped the ball over the UMass Lowell defense to Augo on the right side of the field who found a running Navio Sanchez into the box to give NJIT a 2-0 lead. 
  • Augo fired a shot off the right post as the Highlanders transitioned into the offensive half of the field in the 13th minute.
  •  Tavares with a blast in the 44th minute nearly put the Highlanders ahead 3-0 from a shot just above the box.
  • After the first 45 minutes, NJIT outshot UMass Lowell (11-7) paced by Tavares and Augo with a pair of shots. Nine different Highlanders recorded at least one shot.
  • NJIT went up 3-0 in the 52nd minute on a left-footed strike just outside the box into the upper right corner by sophomore Maximus Barboto assisted by Heredia.
  • The Highlanders added another goal in the 70th minute on a goal by Enrique Mutsoli who intercepted a bad pass by the River Hawk defense for a 4-0 lead.
  • UMass Lowell added a goal in the 88th minute from Oliver Holmstrom.
  • NJIT held a 16-for-13 advantage in overall shots and 12-to-3 advantage in corner kicks. Augo led the Highlanders with three shots (two on goal).

Top Performers 

  • The goal for Navio Sanchez was his first of his career.
  • Heredia, a transfer from Xavier, tallied his third goal of the season.
  • Asembo and Tavares recorded their second assist of the 2023 season.
  • Martinez Cubel notched his first assist of the season.
  • Barboto, who is tied for first in the nation with eight assists, recorded his first career goal of his young career.
  • Mutsoli scored his first goal of the 2023 season.
  • Heredia and Navio Sanchez recorded a multi-point game, posting an assist and goal in the victory.
  • Senior keeper Caden Pellito picked up the win, stopping three River Hawk shots.
  • Tonight's match for sophomore Max Birnberg was the first of his career.

Next Up
NJIT, which wraps up its five-match homestand, will hit the road and travel to Drexel for a 5pm kickoff on September 26.