Flurry of Osprey Goals Down NJIT on Senior Night

Saturday, October 27

Jacksonville, Fla.

7:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

4-10-0, 3-3-0

NJIT

6-11-0, 1-5-0

NJIT

North Florida

Photo by: Todd Drexler

10/27/2018 10:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – UNF's scoring attack netted a trio of goals in the second half to send off the seniors with a 4-1 victory over NJIT in their final match at Hodges Stadium while also clinching a spot in the ASUN Men's Soccer Tournament on Saturday night.

North Florida improves to 4-10-0 on the season with a 3-3 mark in ASUN play while NJIT ends the season 6-11-0 (1-5 ASUN).

Goals
UNF: 41' – LJ Estes (Unassisted)
NJIT: 44' – Rene White (Assisted by Thomas Radon)
UNF: 52' – Bryson Smith (Unassisted)
UNF: 63' – Jake Hawker (Assisted by Bryson Smith)
UNF: 79' – Shane Nicholson (Assisted by Bryson Smith)

How It Happened

Senior Ivan Castro nearly gave the Ospreys a lead in the eight minute, but his shot off the rebound on a corner kick was denied by the diving NJIT goalkeeper.
NJIT's defense denied back-to back shots from Castro and Collin Scott in the 28^th minute to keep the match scoreless.
The Highlander offense had their first chance at scoring rejected in the 35^th minute by a diving save from Ryan Stevens.
In the 41^st minute, LJ Estes collected a loose ball from a cross and fired one into the back of the net to score his second goal of the season.
The Highlanders scored three minutes later when Rene White retrieved the ball off the crossbar and scored his 11^th goal of the year.
UNF broke the tie in the 52^nd minute when Bryson Smith weaved his way through the box and scored his first goal of his collegiate career on a left-footed goal.
Jake Hawker dished to Smith before getting it back and doubling the Osprey lead in the 63^rd minute on a give-and-go goal.
North Florida tallied their final goal of the match in the 79^th minute when Shane Nicholson fired a strike past the NJIT goalkeeper off the pass from Smith.

Thoughts From the Top
"Tonight really came down to the players wanting to fight for each other and play for each other. What we saw tonight was a team that was focused and followed the game plan. We knew they had to come in to our place and beat us, and the mentality we had tonight was great. We were disappointed to allow a tying goal there at the end of the first half, but we fought back and erased the deficit in the second half. It was great to see multiple guys see the ball go in the net for the first time tonight. Shane almost had one in the first half that was hit well and blocked, but was able to connect on one later. Jake Hawker is a dangerous striker and for him to get going is great to see. I am proud of the way our entire team finished tonight, everyone stepped up tonight. I am proud of every one of our guys tonight for the way they kept fighting, and we look forward to carrying this momentum into the ASUN Tournament." – Derek Marinatos

Quick Kicks

UNF capped the match with a 13-8 advantage in shots over the Highlanders.
Smith and Hawker netted their first career goals as an Oprey while Nicholson's goal was his first of the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Ryan Stevens collected three saves and his first win while making his first start of his collegiate career.
The four goals scored are the most by the Ospreys since UNF notched a 4-0 victory over USC Upstate on Oct. 29, 2016.
The victory clinched the seventh appearance in the ASUN Men's Soccer Tournament in school history for the Ospreys.

Up Next
North Florida will compete in the ASUN Men's Soccer Tournament next weekend with the site and opponent to be determined.