NEWARK, N.J. –
Charlie Herley's pressure lead to a NJIT turnover, and he converted in the open field for a goal in the 50
th minute to help Loyola University Maryland play to a 1-1 draw with the host Highlanders in Tuesday night's season opener.
Herley challenged a NJIT defender near the top of the box, taking the ball off his foot to cause a turnover. Herley then took a touch and sent a shot inside the far side of the net to give Loyola a 1-0 advantage.
NJIT, however, continued to put pressure on the in the offensive half. Matt Moran had a shot saved by Dylan van der Walt, and two other Highlanders' attempts over the 10 minutes following Herley's goal went wide.
A chip by Amit Magoz in the 67
th minute sailed just over the cross bar, and the Greyhounds retained their 1-0 lead.
Van der Walt made another save in the 79
th minute, this time on an Alvaro Heredia shot.
Not two minutes later, however, the Highlanders broke through. Van der Walt was called for a foul in the box on a play that appeared to be ordinary jostling for position.
NJIT was awarded a penalty, and Sergio Martinez Cubel converted the kick to level the game at 1-1.
Loyola nearly struck for the lead in the 89
th minute when two Greyhounds converged on a free kick in the box, and
Jahvar Stephenson's header was punched over the bar by NJIT's Devin Armstrong.
That would be the last shot either team would have in the draw.
The Greyhounds will be back in action in one week when they make their home debut on Thursday, August 29, with a 7 p.m. match against Iona University at Ridley Athletic Complex.
