Highlanders Clinch Spot in America East Postseason Tournament

Sophomore Alejandro Rabell scored the lone goal of the match and goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys combined for the shutout in the Highlanders 1-0 win over visiting UMBC to clinch a spot in the America East Conference Tournament on Friday evening at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

NJIT, Pod C champs, improved to 4-4-1, 4-2-0 in the America East and will be the No. 3 seed in the America East Conference Tournament.  NJIT will face Vermont (4-1-1, 4-1-1 America East), the No. 2 seed and the wildcard team on Thursday, April 15 in the semifinals.  Kickoff is slated for 7pm.

NJIT netted the first tally of the match on a beautiful pass from freshman Jose Escandon to 2019 ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year Rabell who got a step on the UMBC defender, striking the ball past Quantrell Jones.  The goal for Rabell was his second of the season and second in the last three matches as Escandon registered his fourth assist of the season.

UMBC's best chance in the match came in the 85th minute on a blast by William Forby but NJIT's Reisgys made the stop.  The 6-foot-3 keeper made eight saves for his first shutout of the season.

NJIT outshot UMBC 19-16 (9-7 on shots on goal) while the Retrievers edged the Highlanders in corner kicks, 5-4.  Watkins led the Highlanders with six total shots followed by Rene White and Escandon with three shots each.

The Highlanders honored its six graduating seniors in pregame ceremonies -- Anthony Caruso, Tristan Parker, Nicholas Kozdron, Roberto Adamson Hernandez, Thomas Radon and Regsan Watkins.

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