HILLSIDE, N.J. — Senior Mamadou Guirassy scored twice and the NJIT men clinched a spot in the ASUN Conference Tournament with a 4-1 win over Jacksonville University at Kean University East Campus Facility Saturday afternoon.

NJIT, which will make its second consecutive appearance in the tournament, improved to 3-1 in the conference, 8-5-2 overall while the Dolphins fell to 1-2 in the ASUN, 3-8 overall.

The Highlanders scored three goals in the first 45 minutes – all coming from senior — Guirassy (4:59), Danny Cordeiro (15:50) and Jonathan Onyeaka (30:08).

Cameron Grassmyer scored the lone goal for the Dolphins at 23:27.

Guirassy netted the only goal in the second half, his second of the game, with 1:12 remaining. The senior forward from Paris, France, leads the nation in goals (14) and total points (29).

Goalkeeper Victor Pujades stopped three shots.

Guirassy scored his first goal of the game in the fifth minute after a misplay by the Jacksonville defense as someone passed the ball back to the keeper in front of Guirassy.

Cordeiro doubled the Highlander score in the 16th minute off a low cross by senior Phillip Costa from the left side to Cordeiro who snuck behind the Jacksonville defense for a 2-0 lead. It was Cordeiro’s fourth goal of the season.

NJIT 6-5 defender Onyeaka scored his first goal of the season in the 30th minute off a corner kick by Pablo Jimenez, elevating over the defense.

Jacksonville with two opportunities in the first five minutes of the second half on back-to-back shots by Ejiroghene Mrabure. Mrabure’s first shot came from eight yards out, saved by Pujades and Mrabure’s second shot, which he got under, sailed high over the cross bar.

Guirassy netted his second goal of the game with 1:12 left, receiving a pass from Thomas Radon from the midfield. With space on the right side, Guirassy moved into the penalty area and put past the keeper.

NJIT will close out the non-conference portion of its schedule at Temple University Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.