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Action from the NJIT draw with Seton Hall. (Photo courtesy of NIIT)
NEWARK, N.J. – The NJIT men recorded a 3-3 draw against Seton Hall University in non-conference action at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
It was the first time the Highlanders had seen the pitch in 454 days due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Seton Hall’s CJ Tibbling scored the equalizer in the 80th minute to knot things up at 3-3 after dribbling through defenders before finishing with a left-footed shot just past the goalkeeper.
“I told the group before the game, we need to be grateful that we have the chance to be out there,” head coach Fernando Barboto said. “It’s been a long time [almost 15-16 months] since we have played and coached a game. We were all very excited to get out there, the energy showed on both sides.”
Newcomer Sergio Pita got the Highlanders on the board in the 14th minute, his first collegiate goal, assisted by Jose Adames. The play started with Adames dribbling into the box, finding an open Pita in the middle as he beat the keeper to the top left.
Seton Hall evened the score in the 24th minute on a goal by Johannes Pex. Pex controled a rebound off a Camil Koreichi blast that hit the post before putting away a shot just under the crossbar.
The Pirates went ahead in the 43rd minute, 2-1, on a cross into the box by Raz Amir to Tibbling, who flicked the ball to Pex, beating the goalkeeper to the nearside post for his second goal of the game.
Senior Zach Halma scored his first career goal in the 66th minute, knotting the match at 2-2, from just outside the box, putting away the equalizer off an assist from Regsan Watkins.
Seton Hall’s Mattias Sundel was awarded a penalty kick in the 72nd minute, which was denied by goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys.
NJIT went ahead 3-2 in the 79th minute after a turnover as sophomore Alejandro Rabell stepped in at the top of the box and dished off to Rene White who put away his 35th career goal. White leads the NJIT Division I record books in career goals (35) and points (76).
