DOVER, Del. (Oct. 23rd) - Theresa Wappett and Michelle Giorgilli both found the net for Delaware State, but their two tallies weren't enough as DSU fell 5-2 to the NJIT Highlanders on Friday evening at Alumni Stadium.
The Highlanders controlled a majority of possession, outshooting DSU 19-9 and putting 13 of those shots on frame. NJIT's ability to work down the flanks and find space put a level of pressure on Delaware State that the backline couldn't handle, and the inability of the Hornets to clear the penalty area when danger arose became costly on more than one occasion.
"There were a lot of positives coming out of the match," said head coach Nitan Soni. "We found some things we need to continue to work on, but the players kept it going and grinding and we found two good goals for our efforts. It's something we can truly build on."
Piper Lunan opened the NJIT account in the 16th minute, with Mariam Bestawros providing a ball on the right edge of the six-yard box. Lunan fired low and to the left of Hornet keeper Courtney Haas to awaken the scorekeeper.
The Hornets would equalize in the 27th minute, when Theresa Wappett took advantage of mass confusion in the NJIT defense. She found a free ball at her feet with nothing but air and opportunity between her and the second brace of her freshman campaign. The visitors would regain the advantage just 10 minutes later, when an Erin Morris shot was parried by Haas but not controlled. Kori Washington was the recipient, and her strike from inside the 6 yard box took the level terms away.
The second half saw the New Jersey Institute of Technology pull away, when substitute Gechi Ukaegbu would twice turn predator. Her notches in the 54th and 66th minute were both highly similar; balls that found freedom inside the six-yard box due to poor communication by the Hornet backline and forced by relentless Highlander pressure. Despite only 36 minutes on the pitch, Ukaegbu would be the only player for either side to score twice.
DSU would get their second in the 85th when Allison Schrang's blister from beyond 20 yards was blocked by winning keeper Sadie Mele, but her rebound found Michelle Giorgilli's right foot, and she finished with authority. It was the sophomore Giorgilli's first tally in red and blue, as both strike partners in the Hornets 4-4-2 alignment found paydirt for the first time this season.
NJIT would add a token tally just two minutes later, when a right by-line cross from Keri Washington found Erin Morris unmarked at the far post, leaving substitute keeper Brittany Curtis unable to intervene.
The Hornets will leave early Saturday morning for a 1 p.m. Sunday match with South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C. Senior Day will be next Thursday at 7 p.m. vs. Wilmington at Alumni Stadium, as lone Hornet senior Ashlee Gourdine will be honored.
