Box Score NEWARK, N.J. – NJIT scored the final four goals of the game en route to a 5-1 win against Saint Peter's in the women's soccer season opener for both teams. All six tallies in the game were scored by freshman. The contest was originally scheduled to be played in Jersey City, but the match was moved to Newark.
Michelle Laz (Georgetown, Del./Sussex Tech.) scored her first collegiate goal in the 47 minute for the Peacocks (0-1) lone goal of the afternoon.
Laz came off the bench to make her collegiate debut while Mia Greene (Rahway, N.J./Rahway), Kelsey Nugent (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway), Brooke Trotta (Middletown, N.J./Mater Dei Prep) and Sydney Diaz (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hallow East) each made their collegiate debut in the starting lineup while Aleena Cruz (San Diego, Calif./Bonita Vista), Genesis Castrellon (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito Academy), Jasmine Diaz (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hallow East), Brooke Tartis (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) and Nikki Rodriguez (Union, N.J./Union) each made their Peacocks debut on the afternoon.
Neema Liverpool paced the Highlanders with two goals while Arianna Gerber, Nicole Baldassini and Noelle Batista each found the back of the net while Melanie Zrno and Jaclyn Ward added an assist in the winning effort.
NJIT scored four times in the final 28 minutes to earn its sixth-straight win against Saint Peter's while taking the second season opener between the two teams after the Highlanders downed the Peacocks 3-1 in the 2012 inaugural game.
Liverpool gave NJIT the early lead with a tally off a serve ahead off the foot of Zrno at the 4:40 mark for as 1-0 lead.
The Highlanders held the advantage until Laz broke through to beat a defender and the goalkeeper 63 seconds into the second half for her first collegiate score and knot the game at 1 at the 46:03 mark.
Liverpool regain the lead for NJIT off a Ward assist at 72:48 on a breakaway. Gerber (79:25), Baldassini (81:30) and Batista (83:49) each found the back of the net to help seal the victory.
Taylor McLean (Oakville, Ontario/Holy Trinity Catholic) made three saves for Saint Peter's while Samantha Bersett made two stops for the Highlanders.
Saint Peter's returns to action and makes its Jaroschak Field debut against Wagner on Wednesday. Match time is 3 p.m.
