Women's Soccer Dominates Saint Peter's In 6-0 Shutout

It was only a matter of time.

The NJIT women's soccer team, looking for back-to-back wins after a tough four-game opening stretch for its offense, put together a performance for the Highlander record books in a dominant 6-0 victory over the Saint Peter's Peacocks Saturday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

Saturday's six score showing by NJIT (2-4) was one shy of the Division I single-game school record of seven, set four games into head coach Ally's Nick's tenure against Saint Peter's on August 29, 2016 (7-0).

Junior Bailey Chant was one of five Highlanders to find the back of the net against Saint Peter's (0-4), recording the first brace of her career and the first for a Highlander since teammate Corbin Reifschneider scored twice in last season's opener against Drexel on February 21, 2021 (2020 season).

Joining Chant in the score column were Briana Ramirez (first career goal), Tara Walenczyk (seventh), Christine Conaghy (third), and Aleesha Deshmukh (first).

After over 40 minutes of neither team taking a complete hold of the match, Chant (42') changed the potential halftime status from a scoreless game to an NJIT lead. Chant was able to run past a Peacock defender and successfully place a right side, cross-body shot to the left back post.

The second half had barely begun before Chant would strike again in the 47th minute. A free kick from nearly midfield from senior Siani Magruder fell perfectly in front of the six-yard box and Chant was able to poke the ball home to give NJIT a 2-0 advantage. The two goals upped Chant's career total to five.

Just over two minutes later (49'), sophomore Briana Ramirez scored arguably the best goal in college soccer this season. Taking a corner from the left side, Ramirez netted an "Olimpico" by bending her shot off the back post, off the head of a Saint Peter's defender, and into the goal.

The Highlanders' fourth tally came on an excellent through ball from freshman Caroline Caputo to a wide open Walenczyk (53') making a run down the right side of the field. With only the keeper to beat, Walenczyk slid home a ground shot to the lower left corner.

Conaghy joined the scoring action (58') after great individual efforts from Walenczyk and Chant. Walenczyk chipped a pass into the box for Chant, who then beat a defender and put a ground cross right on the foot of Conaghy and in front of the goal.

The Highlanders' final score came in the 77th minute, as Magruder delivered another on-target free kick that eventually found the head of Deshmukh and then the back of the net.

Redshirt senior Molly Saylor finished her second straight game with a one-save shutout, increasing her career shutout total to seven.
NJIT overall held a 17-10 edge in total shots (9-1 shots on goal) and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

OTHER NOTES

--NJIT posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since August 31 and September 5, 2019 when the Highlanders blanked Saint Peter (2-0) and Rider (5-0) respectively.

--Magruder's two assists against Saint Peter's gave her the first game with multiple assists or goals in her career.

NEXT UP
NJIT will begin its season-long three-game road trip on Wednesday, September 8 at Rider.