NEWARK, N.J.–Regsan Watkins snapped a 1-1 tie in the 86th minute, leading the top-seeded NJIT to its first ASUN Conference Tournament title with a 2-1 victory over No. 2 Florida Gulf Coast University at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium Saturday night.

The Highlanders (10-4-4) won their first ASUN Conference Tournament title in any sport and advanced to the NCAA Tournament — the first time at the Division I level — and for the first time since 1977. FGCU fell to 9-8-2.

The NCAA Selection Show is set for Monday at 1 p.m. ET.

With 12 seconds remaining in the first half, FGCU’s Noah Bushey received a pass on the right touch line from Titouan Le Menec, before striking the ball with a left-footed shot into the upper left corner.

ASUN Conference freshman of the year Alejandro Rabell knotted things up at 1-1 in the 70th minute, his sixth goal of the season, off a rebound of junior Thomas Radon’s free kick.

That set up Watkins for his late heroics as Andrew Nino fed him for the game-winner.

Watkins, the tournament MVP, scored two game-winning goals in the competiton. He also connected for the decisive goal in the 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Stetson.

ASUN Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Regsan Watkins, NJIT (MVP)
Shak Adams, FGCU
Thomas Delplace, FGCU
O’Vonte Mullings, FGCU​​​​​​​
Ivan Rosales, FGCU​​​​​​​
Noah Gulden, Lipscomb
Ben Locke, Lipscomb
Alejandro Rabell, NJIT​​​​​​​
Thomas Radon, NJIT​​​​​​​
Rene White, NJIT​​​​​​​
Sebastian Chalbaud, Stetson

 

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.