NEWARK, N.J. - Senior Borna Miklic (Kutina, Croatia) registered the first goal of the night for either side late in regulation, but the UMass Lowell men's soccer team (1-5-1, 0-1) dropped a 2-1 overtime decision at NJIT (2-3-1, 1-0) to begin America East Conference play.
 
"We can't make things difficult for ourselves and expect to get positive results," said Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "NJIT is a quality team that can make you pay when you make mistakes, and they showed it tonight."
 
The deciding goal came in the 95^th minute off the foot of the Highlanders' Alejandro Rabell. But although NJIT out-shot the River Hawks, 15-7, in the match, but the quality of the chances tilted the other way, as the visitors led 6-3 in shots on goal.  
 
The only chance on target for the River Hawks in the first half came in the 13^th minute off a free kick by junior Matthias Stingl (Deggendorf, Germany). On that play, he drove a ball from about 25-yards out and nearly found the top left corner, but his attempt was blocked away by NJIT keeper Samuel Reisgys.
 
The Highlanders had a corner opportunity in the 24^th minute that was taken short, leading to a chance by Jose Escandon, but a River Hawk defender was able to step in front to make the block.
 
Early in the second half, it was more offensive pressure by NJIT. In the 57^th minute, Highlander forward Rene White chipped a cross into the box, but freshman Jonathan Ferriera (Ashland, MA) interfered with the play and prevented a good look from the opposition.
 
The River Hawks finally broke through the defensive unit in the 72^nd minute, as a series of rebounds were bobbled by the keeper and the ball was finally tapped in by Miklic. However, just three minutes later, the Highlanders drew even, 1-1. White made a quick pass to Alejandro Rabell close to the net, where he struck the ball hard and just underneath senior Christian Miesch's (Ried-Brig, Switzerland) outstretched arms for the score.
 
Neither squad was able to break the tie in regulation, sending the game into overtime. After some physical play to open the extra period, the Highlanders earned a corner kick. Tomas Jorge sent a cross into the box that was headed in by Rabell for his second goal of the evening and the game-winner.
 
Up next, the River Hawks return home to Cushing Field to take on UMass Amherst on Tuesday, September 21 in the annual Kennedy Cup matchup between the sister schools.