Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. – Senior forward Brice Merwine added his sixth goal of the 2014 season, LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team was defeated 3-1 by NJIT on Wednesday evening in Newark, N.J.
 
Freshman Cole Palmer made his first career start in goal, finishing with six saves. Shot opportunities were just about even, with NJIT leading 12-9. Play was physical all night, as 37 fouls were called.
 
The Highlanders struck early in the game, scoring in the second minute, after a rebounded save from Palmer landed back out in front of NJIT's Marko Drljic.
 
Merwine, who is tied for sixth in the nation in scoring, had a prime opportunity in the 28th minute, attempting a shot from the right side, but the ball was saved.
 
Play was back and forth for the next 10 minutes, until the Highlanders had a breakaway chance in the 37th minute. Palmer punched the ball out near the crossbar, but NJIT earned a corner kick. The Highlanders were able to a convert a header shot past Palmer on the right side to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Coming out of the break, a foul put the ball just right to the middle of the goal, but junior midfielder Tanner Sica's shot went just wide. Merwine had the next chance in the 61st minute, but NJIT goalkeeper Christian Foust made the save again.
 
Merwine kept his scoring streak going, however, after a foul in the box gave LIU a penalty kick in the 66th minute. The senior's shot sailed past Foust to cut NJIT's lead to 2-1.
 
Sophomore forward Naeem Charles had the chance for the tying goal a few minutes later, but his foul kick near the top of the box went just high. Sophomore midfielder Raffi Gregorian then had a shot on the other corner, but Foust swatted the ball out.
 
A goal with just two minutes to play sealed the win for NJIT at 3-1.
 
The Blackbirds return home this Sunday, Sept. 21 for Alumni Day, when they take on nationally ranked George Mason at 12:00 p.m.