NEWARK, N.J. – Sophomore defender Conor Murphy (Wallingford, Conn.) and freshman forward Tim Quigley (Ridgefield, Conn.) each scored their first career goals as the Quinnipiac University men’s soccer won its first game of the season, 2-1, against NJIT at Lubetkin Field. The win improves the Bobcat’s mark to 1-0-2, while the Highlanders drop to 1-4 with the loss.

“This win was great for our team,” said head coach Eric Da Costa. “It was a continuation of the momentum we built in two good ties against two very good teams to start the season. To go on the road and win is a gratifying feeling. We played a young lineup tonight and that says a lot about this team as we head into the stretch run.”

Murphy scored his first-career goal just 2:42 into the first half ending a scoreless drought for the Bobcats at 178:08. Murphy found the back of the net from just past the midfield circle, 45 yards away on the right side of the field.

Quinnipiac goalkeeper Freddy Hall (St. George, Bermuda) recorded his second-straight shutout as he turned away three NJIT shots in the game. The senior netminder has not allowed an opponent to score in the last 265:59 of action, dating back to the team’s first game of the year at Yale on Sept. 5.

With 2:04 remaining in the first half, Quigley made it a 2-0 game as he scored the first goal of his career in just his third game with Quinnipiac. The freshman forward dribbled through multiple NJIT defenders before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Sutherland for the Bobcats’ second goal of the game.

Neither team scored in the second half with the Quinnipiac defense limiting the Highlanders’ scoring chances the entire half. The Bobcat defenders pressured NJIT shooters outside of the box, forcing a majority of shots to be taken from 30 yards out. In the final 45 minutes of play, NJIT attempted 11 shots to the Bobcats’ four, but only two were on goal.

Quinnipiac returns to action on Wednesday, Sept. 16 as they travel to West Point, N.Y., to take on Army. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Clinton Field.