Dragons Power Past NJIT, 3-0

Tuesday, September 26

Philadelphia, Pa.

5:00 PM

Drexel University

5-1-2, 2-1-1

NJIT

4-4-2, 1-0-0

NJIT

Drexel

9/26/2023 9:13:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel men's soccer team completed its second clean sheet in a row on Tuesday night, as the Dragons downed the NJIT Highlanders, 3-0.

The Dragons checked in for the first time in the sixth minute of the game. Antonio Illuminato set up for a corner kick and placed the ball in the center of the 18-yard box. Youri Senden went up for a 50-50 ball and reached his left foot around the Highlander defender and poked the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the junior defender's first collegiate goal. The assist was Illuminato's sixth of the season.

Youri Senden scored the first goal for the Dragons in their 3-0 win against NJIT! pic.twitter.com/Ve2wny1TIn
— Drexel Men's Soccer (@DrexelMSoccer) September 27, 2023

Drexel scored its second goal of the game in the 20^th minute. With sound passing by Stephen Appiah and Carles Aliberch, Patrick Short put a charge into a shot from outside the 18 and beat the NJIT keeper top-right. The goal was Short's second goal of the season.

Patrick Short completed a beautiful play by the Dragons to put the home team ahead by two! pic.twitter.com/0BZLYvDcbi
— Drexel Men's Soccer (@DrexelMSoccer) September 27, 2023

The match quieted down for the remainder of the first half and a good portion of the second half. But the Dragons broke that silence in the 80^th minute. Christian Combs started a play from around midfield by playing a ball to Aliberch. After a few touches, Aliberch sent a ball up field to Dominick Bachstein. Once Bachstein received the ball, the senior dribbled to the right side of the penalty box and buried a shot into the back of the net. The goal was Backstein's third of the season. The play resulted in Combs' first assist of his collegiate career and Aliberch tacked on one more assist to push his season total to four.

Christian Combs and Carles Aliberch set Dominick Bachstein up to complete Drexel's 3-0 route of NJIT! pic.twitter.com/RWZ2Ie4SH0
— Drexel Men's Soccer (@DrexelMSoccer) September 27, 2023

Alessandro Capogna started in the net for Drexel and made six saves in the shutout victory. The senior completed his ninth shutout but also notched the 10th win of his Drexel career.

Drexel returns to conference play on Saturday, September 30 as the team travels to Williamsburg, Va. to face the William & Mary Tribe. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.