NJIT Men's Soccer Upsets No. 15 Vermont, Alvaro Heredia Scores Highlander Goal in 1-0 Win

Published: Monday, October 9, 2023
The win marks the programs first win over a United Soccer Coaches top-25 team since 2015

The NJIT men's soccer team upset No. 15 Vermont, 1-0, on a goal scored by sophomore Alvaro Heredia in America East Conference men's soccer action Saturday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium on NJIT's Homecoming Weekend.

NJIT remains undefeated in the America East, 2-0-1 and improves to 5-4-3 overall. Saturday marks the programs first win over a United Soccer Coaches top-25 team since 2015 as the Highlanders defeat No. 15 Vermont, 1-0. NJIT sits tied for first in the America East standings.

VIDEO:NJIT Highlights
VIDEO: Post Game Interview with ESPN+ Ira Thor and Head Coach Fernando Barboto

The last time the Highlanders defeated a ranked team dates back to October 3, 2015 when NJIT edged No. 22 St. Francis Brooklyn.

Vermont, which entered the match unbeaten in their last nine matches, moves to 2-1-0 in the league and 8-2-2 overall.

"The guys battled and we played against a really good opponent," eighth-year head coach Fernando Barboto commented postgame. "It's great to beat Vermont at home on Homecoming Weekend. When we were in the ASUN, Florida Gulf Coast was the perennial power and then when we came into the America East and we looked at it as Vermont was the perennial power. We told the group today we have to believe that we are going to beat this team today, and we did."

After a scoreless first half, NJIT scored the first goal of the match in the 57th minute on a goal by Alvaro Heredia assisted by Jordi Navio Sanchez. Navio Sanchez's initial shot was blocked but Heredia's blast put the Highlanders ahead, 1-0.

Heredia recorded his fourth goal of the season which shares the team lead with Hugo Tavares. Heredia, Tavares and Maximus Barboto each share the team lead with 12 points.

Graduate student Samuel Reisgys, NJIT's all-time save leader, registered the clean sheet Saturday, making one stop in 90 minutes.

Vermont led the match in overall shots (8-6) as the Highlanders held a (4-1) advantage in shots on goal. Tavares notched a pair of shots while Navio Sanchez, Heredia and Enrique Mutsoli each added a shot.

Next Up
NJIT will conclude the non-conference slate on the road at Delaware Oct. 10. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on FloSports.