Pair of Goals by White Leads NJIT Past FDU in Season Opener

Fifth-year senior Rene White scored a pair of goals and added an assist as the Highlanders picked up its first win of the 2021 season, defeating visiting Fairleigh Dickinson, 4-1, in the season opener Thursday evening in non-conference men's soccer action at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

White, the NCAA Division I active goals and points leader, added a goal in each half while adding an assist for the Highlanders.  With the pair of goals in the win, White now stands at 40 career goals and 87 career points.

Rising sophomore Jose Escandon combined for one goal and one assist, 2021 America East Striker of the Year Regsan Watkins and Tomas Jorge were each credited with a pair of assists and Sergio Pita put away the fourth Highlander goal of the evening.

The Highlanders (1-0) held a big margin in overall shots (17-8) led by White and Escandon with four each.

Junior goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys recorded the win, combining for four saves in the Highlanders 4-1 victory.

The Highlanders struck first in the 13th minute after a pass from Watkins from the left side to 2021 America East All-Rookie team member Escandon who finished low and left of the goal for his first goal of the season.

Another opportunity for the Highlanders came on a beautiful cross by Escandon to a running White in the 23rd minute but FDU's Blake Hylton made the save. 

Escandon, looking for his second tally of the match a minute later off a free kick, blasted a shot off the crossbar on the free kick.

NJIT extended its lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute on a diagonal cross from Escandon to White, who cut back and tucked away the finish to the left post, extending his career goal record to 39.

Visiting Fairleigh Dickinson scored its first goal of the match in the 52nd minute on a cross from Edoardo Calzola, who placed the ball on the right foot of Joshua Ferreira inside the box, putting away his first goal of the season.

NJIT went up by a pair of goals in the 60th minute on White's second goal of the match, recording his eighth multi-goal match of his career on a cross by Jorge off a set piece for the Highlanders to go ahead, 3-1.  The goal for White is his 40th of his career. 

The Highlanders added to its goal total in the 75th minute on a goal by sophomore Sergio Pita from Regsan Watkins, who settled the ball at the top of the box, finding Pita on the right side and finishing with his left foot, giving NJIT a 4-1 advantage.

NJIT will be back in action on Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. when the Highlanders host Rider.

Post Game Interview with Coach Barboto
Goal Highlights
Photo Gallery