BALTIMORE, MD--The NJIT men's soccer team picked up its first program win in the America East Conference with a 2-1 road victory at UMBC Tuesday evening at Retriever Soccer Stadium. 

NJIT, which last played on February 17, paused all team-related activities shortly after, due to COVID-related protocols.  With the win on Tuesday, NJIT improved to 1-0-1, 1-0-0 in the America East while UMBC moved to 1-1-1, 0-1-1 in the America East.

"Our team has battled through this pandemic just like they have on the field today with determination and resilience," head coach Fernando Barboto added postgame.  "Today on the road vs. a program that brings a lot of tradition, we had moments of good football and some of courageous defensive work."

The Highlanders scored a pair of goals in the second half from freshman Tomas Jorge (54th minute) and senior Regsan Watkins (76th minute) while sophomore goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys recorded the win, stopping eight Retriever shots.

In the 13th minute, Watkins received a through ball from Jose Escandon but Watkins' shot was deflected by UMBC's goalkeeper Quantrell Jones.

UMBC's Kyle Waggoner netted his first goal of the season in the 40th minute off a rebound on an initial shot by Vagner Marquez, which was saved by NJIT's Reisgys.  Waggoner collected the ball in the box and put it away to give UMBC a 1-0 lead.  Marquez was credited with the assist.

NJIT had a pair of opportunities late in the period with shots from Paul Kondratowicz and Jorge, who blasted a shot from the middle of the field, sailing high in the 43rd minute.

An early chance for the Highlanders six minutes into the second half came on a shot by Jorge which hit off the crossbar.

The visiting Highlanders tied the match at 1-1 on a penalty kick by Jorge in the 54th minute after a handball was called on UMBC.  Jorge's first shot was saved by a diving Jones but Jorge stayed with the play, rebounded the ball and scored his first collegiate goal.

UMBC had a close chance in the 68th minute as William Forby's shot hit the underside of the crossbar.

NJIT took a 2-1 lead in the 76th minute on a goal by Watkins, assisted by Jose Escandon.  Escandon received a long pass down the right side and served the ball into the middle of the box between two UMBC defenders.  The one UMBC defender got a head on the ball but Watkins was able to keep control of the ball and head it past UMBC's goalkeeper to give NJIT the lead.

Jorge led the Highlanders with six shots followed by Watkins with four.  Escandon, Kondratowicz and Sergio Pita recorded one shot each.

NJIT will return to action at home on Friday at 5pm when the Highlanders host Stony Brook in Newark, NJ.  The match will be streamed live on AmericaEast TV. 

Due to COVID protocol policy, the NJIT Department of Athletics is prohibiting spectators at our indoor & outdoor athletic events.

Stay up to date during the 2021 NJIT men's soccer season by following @NJITSoccer on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Soccer page on Facebook.