Men's Soccer Grabs Three Points at Home Against UAlbany, 2-1
The NJIT men's soccer team earned three crucial points on Saturday afternoon as they took down UAlbany, 2-1, at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. The Highlanders were buoyed by a pair of first half goals, with Goncalo Franco and Sergio Martinez Cubel each finding the back of the net to get NJIT back to .500 in league play.
Post Game Interview w/ Head Coach Fernando Barboto | NJIT Highlights
How it Happened
- Franco got NJIT's attack started early, getting on the other end of a free kick from Giovanni Massacesi in the eighth minute and opening the scoring.
- Just before halftime, the Highlanders would double their lead. In the 43rd minute, Asembo Augo maneuvered into space in the penalty area before sending a perfectly placed cross into the middle for Martinez Cubel. The junior buried it for his team-leading fourth goal of the season to increase NJIT's advantage to 2-0.
- UAlbany would get a goal back early in the second half, as a foul in the box on Guy Panzner gave the Great Danes an opportunity to cut the deficit in half. Timo Jansen would bury the PK for UAlbany to make it a 2-1 game.
- NJIT would threaten for more midway through the second half, as both Martinez Cubel and Franco had bids for their second goals of the match. However, UAlbany goalkeeper Kodai Tsuzuki shut both chances down.
Noteworthy
- Franco's goal was his first of the season.
- NJIT was outshot in the match, 14-12, but the Highlanders had the edge in shots on target, 6-3.
- Of those six shots on goal for NJIT, Martinez Cubel tallied three of them.
- Devin Armstrong made a pair of saves in goal to pick up the victory.
- Massacessi's assist was his fourth of the season, extending his team lead in that category.
- Augo's helper was his second of the campaign, moving his point total up to eight on the year.
Next Up
The Highlanders will remain home this week as they face their final non-conference foe of the season in Drexel on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
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