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