BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — NJIT's Mikayla Balio broke through in the 86th minute to lift the Highlanders to a 1-0 victory over UMBC on Thursday night, extending the visitors' winning streak to two games. The goal came late enough to silence a UMBC side that had dominated possession for stretches but couldn't find the back of the net. The result improves NJIT to 7-5-6 on the season while dropping the Retrievers to 6-8-4.
Balio's decisive strike came off a setup from Kelsey Ramos deep in the second half, finally breaking open a match that had remained scoreless through 85 minutes of tightly contested play. The NJIT forward capitalized on a rare opening in the UMBC defense to secure what proved to be the match-winner. It was a fitting conclusion to a game where neither team could consistently break through, though UMBC had more opportunities to do so.
The first half belonged largely to UMBC in terms of attacking intent. Cameron Mink, Rian Stainton, and Gabby Larson all tested NJIT's defense with shots that either missed or were blocked, keeping the Retrievers' goalkeeper busy. NJIT's Maria Nogueira managed a low shot in the 12th minute that went wide, but the visitors largely absorbed pressure and looked to transition quickly. The half ended goalless despite UMBC's territorial advantage.
UMBC came out aggressive after the break, with Payton Schenning firing wide in the 47th minute and Zoe Brossman forcing a block moments later. The home side's intensity remained high through the middle stages, generating multiple corners and free kicks. Yet NJIT's defense, anchored by solid positioning, weathered the storm and gradually grew into the match as the second half progressed.
The Highlanders' breakthrough came when it mattered most. With time running out and UMBC still searching for an equalizer, Balio found space and finished clinically to send NJIT's bench into celebration. It was a stark reminder that soccer matches are decided by moments, not possession statistics or shot volume.
NJIT's goalkeeper made seven saves to preserve the shutout, while UMBC's keeper recorded three stops. The Retrievers outshot NJIT 14-8 overall and 7-4 on target, controlling much of the game's rhythm. They also earned six corner kicks compared to NJIT's two, yet couldn't convert their dominance into goals. Kirra Hyder and Reagan Casper each received yellow cards, while NJIT picked up two cautions.
For NJIT, this road victory represents a significant result in what's been a solid season. The Highlanders have now won consecutive matches after a difficult stretch earlier in October. Balio's late heroics give the team momentum heading into their final regular-season fixtures, with tournament positioning still very much in play at the Division I level.
UMBC's inability to convert chances will sting. The Retrievers have now lost their last match after drawing with New Hampshire and falling to Maine in their previous two outings. Finding the net remains a challenge for a team that created enough opportunities to win on another night.
NJIT returns home for its next contest, while UMBC will look to bounce back and rediscover its scoring touch in upcoming conference play.