HILLSIDE, NJ—Redshirt sophomore Rene White scored the lone goal of the match and goalkeeper Victor Pujades notched his first shutout of the season in NJIT's 1-0 victory over Sacred Heart in the season opener for both teams at Kean University East Campus Facility on Friday evening.

Friday marked the second straight season the Highlanders kicked off against Sacred Heart and came out on top, 1-0.

White, who returned back to the field after missing the 2017 season due to injury, got the Highlanders on the board in the 58^th minute after a run down the left side by Andrew Nino, who crossed to White inside the box and the forward tucked away for his first goal of the season.  White scored six goals and accumulated 14 points in 2016, both marks good enough for second on the team.

Pujades posted his first clean sheet of the season, making one save for the Highlanders.

The visiting Pioneers outshot the home team, 10-5, with an 8-2 margin in the second half. 

NJIT freshman Victor Gomez got off the first shot of the game in the 11^th minute, which sailed high over the cross bar.

NJIT's Thomas Radon slipped the ball past Sacred Heart keeper in the 35^th minute but the Pioneer defense was credited with the team save.

Sacred Heart's Segundo Navarro fired a right-footed shot in the 67^th minute that curved to the left and high.

Nino had a chance to add to the Highlander score in the 72^nd minute but his shot went high.

White paced the team with two shots (one on goal) and Gomez, Radon and Nino each notched a shot in the Highlanders win.

NJIT will return to action on Monday at 4pm when the Highlanders host Navy on the Kean University East Campus Facility.