NJIT Shuts Out VMI, 5-0, Rene White Becomes NJIT D1 All-Time Scoring Leader

Published: Saturday, October 5, 2019
Rene White's two goals secured his position as the all-time Division I scoring leader at NJIT

NJIT redshirt junior Rene White scored a pair of goals and became NJIT's Division I All-Time scoring leader with 28 goals as the Highlanders shutout visiting VMI, 5-0, in non-conference men's soccer action on Homecoming Weekend at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
 
In pregame ceremonies, NJIT recognized the Lubetkin and Simon Families in a re-dedication of Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium, the home for the NJIT men's and women's soccer and men's lacrosse teams.
 
White, who ranks second in the nation and leads the ASUN Conference with 11 goals on the season, netted a goal in each half with the record-breaking goal coming in the 26th minute.  The 5-foot-10 forward ranks first in the ASUN in goals (11) and points (23). In the last two matches, White has scored four goals.
 
Freshman Alejandro Rabell scored a pair of goals of his own and added an assist in the Highlanders victory.  Rabell and teammate Thomas Radon rank tied for second in the ASUN with four goals.
 
Junior transfer Gerald Cubero added a goal and an assist while Radon was credited with a pair of assists.  Regsan Watkins notched an assist on Rabell's second goal of the match.
 
Senior goalkeeper Victor Pujades, making his first start of the season, after dealing with a shoulder injury combined for three saves while Anthony Caruso, who played the final 20 minutes stopped two Keydet shots.  Pujades and Caruso combined for the shutout victory.
 
NJIT took an early 1-0 advantage in the 10th minute as Radon played the ball with his left foot at the top of the box, slipping the ball past three Keydet defenders to Rabell, who scored to the left of the VMI keeper.
 
White became the NJIT Division I all-time leading scorer after his team-leading 10th goal of the season, assisted by Rabell in the 26th minute for a 2-0 lead.  Rabell carried the ball down the left side and served in a left-footed cross to White who tipped in the goal with his right foot.
 
In the first 45, NJIT dominated overall shots -- 16-3 (9-2 shots on goal) and corner kicks 5-1.  White paced the Highlanders with six total shots while Radon combined for four shots followed by Cubero and Andrew Nino with a pair of shots.
 
In the 51st minute, VMI's Peter Sepluveda fired a sharp angle shot but the NJIT veteran keeper Victor Pujades made the diving save.
 
NJIT went ahead 3-0 in the 56th minute, as Cubero carried the ball into the box and crossed to White, who tucked away his second goal of the match.  
 
In the 64th minute, Cubero put the Highlanders ahead, 4-0, with a right-footed blast from the top of the box.  The junior transfer has scored in back-to-back matches at home for NJIT.
 
A minute later, NJIT added a fifth goal, as senior Nicholas Kozdron served the ball into the box from the right side, finding Watkins, who settled and touched the ball back to Rabell, scoring to the left of the keeper for his second goal of the match. 
 
NJIT will return to ASUN Conference action on Saturday, October 12 when the Highlanders host North Florida.  Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.