VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania - Karson Vazquez's goal in the 47th minute proved decisive as Villanova (4-4-3) secured a 1-0 victory over NJIT (2-6-3) on Tuesday evening at the Villanova Soccer Complex. The win extended the Wildcats' home unbeaten streak while dealing NJIT their second consecutive defeat.
The match's lone breakthrough came shortly after halftime when Michael teDuits found Vazquez, who capitalized in the 47th minute to give Villanova the advantage they would maintain until the final whistle. The goal marked Vazquez's first of the season and proved to be the difference in a tightly contested match.
The first half saw NJIT control much of the possession and create several promising opportunities. Sergio Martinez Cubel tested the Villanova defense with three shots, while Jack Krongold and Khaled Daoud each had blocked attempts. The Highlanders' aggressive approach resulted in nine first-half shots, though they couldn't convert their chances into goals. Villanova's defense, anchored by Gleb Bogdanov, weathered the early pressure.
After Vazquez's goal early in the second half, NJIT mounted an aggressive response. Jake Rubis had multiple attempts on goal, including a close shot in the 81st minute that narrowly missed the target. The match grew increasingly physical as it progressed, with both teams collecting cards. Villanova's Michael teDuits, Gleb Bogdanov, Sam Nyenka, and Fynn Lahrsen all received yellow cards, while NJIT's Diogo Rebelo was also cautioned.
The final statistics reflected NJIT's offensive dominance despite the scoreline. The Highlanders outshot Villanova 23-9, including a 7-1 advantage in shots on target. NJIT also held a significant 9-0 edge in corner kicks, highlighting their territorial advantage throughout the match. However, Villanova's defensive organization proved superior, resulting in their fourth win of the season.
Several players stood out individually during the contest. NJIT's Martinez Cubel was particularly active with multiple shot attempts, while Kyle Dixon and Caio Carrara consistently threatened the Villanova defense. For the Wildcats, Fynn Lahrsen demonstrated strong defensive presence, though his aggressive play resulted in a late yellow card. Goalkeeper Matthew Klann earned the clean sheet with seven crucial saves.
Tactically, NJIT employed an aggressive pressing strategy, particularly evident in their first-half performance where they dominated possession and created numerous chances. Villanova countered with a disciplined defensive setup, absorbing pressure and looking to strike on the counter-attack, a strategy that ultimately paid dividends with Vazquez's goal.
The victory continues Villanova's momentum following their recent win over UConn, bringing their record to .500 on the season. For NJIT, the loss extends their winless run to three matches, despite showing promising attacking football throughout the contest.
Both teams made multiple tactical adjustments throughout the match, with NJIT introducing fresh attackers in search of an equalizer. Notable substitutions included Giovanni Massacesi and Jeremy Klinger for NJIT, while Villanova countered with defensive reinforcements to protect their lead. The Wildcats' game management in the final minutes proved crucial in securing all three points.
Looking ahead, Villanova will host Seton Hall on October 11, while NJIT travels to face Binghamton on the same day. Both matches kick off at 1:00 PM as the teams continue their conference campaigns.