JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's soccer team secured its first victory of the season on Monday afternoon, Sept. 20, after sophomore forward Kim Brites' (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) led the Gothic Knights to the 5-2 romp over the City College of New York at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field by netting three goals on the day. The game was the center of attention as part of the 2021 Welcome Rally, which officially welcomed all NJCU student-athletes back to campus. There were over 300 fans in the stands for this one, and the energy was felt all day long.



After a scary first couple of minutes where CCNY (1-3) had several juicy scoring opportunities, NJCU (1-3-2) was able to settle down and get things started in the 17th when senior midfielder Tiana Ulloa (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) sent a long cross from the far side that just glanced off a sophomore midfielder Krysti Alejandro (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) in front and past the Beavers' keeper to make it 1-0. After CCNY tied it up at 1-1 in the 21st, the Gothic Knights came right back to take the lead in the 30th thanks to Ulloa, who took matters into her own hands this time. Alejandro took a throw in which bounced around until freshman midfielder Rachel Amaro (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) got a foot on it. She then just lifted a soft lead pass over the Beavers' back line and toward the net and Ulloa was able to get enough of her head on it to send it past the CCNY netminder and make it 2-1. The game would remain 2-1 for the remainder of the half.

After a small chunk of scoreless play to start the second 45:00, Brites got things started with her first of the day and of the season in the 58th. Junior midfielder Michelle Taras (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) sparked a turnover and immediately found Brites open. The sophomore 2020-21 First Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) selection then turned around, made a nifty move and ripped it past the keeper to make it 3-1. Her second tally of the day came in the 71st minute when she was once again set up by Taras, who this time launched a perfectly aimed corner kick to the far post, where Brites headed the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-1. After CCNY got one more back to make it 4-2 in the 78th, Brites completed the hat trick in the 86th. This time she was lined up for the free kick, launched it over the wall of Beavers and into the lower near corner of the net to make it 5-2.

Highlights
- Overall, NJCU outshot CCNY 39-3, including 17-3 in on-target attempts. The Gothic Knights also took nine of the 12 corner attempts on the day.
- Brites led all players in shots (14), shots on goal (9) and goals (3).
- Taras was second in shots (6) and shots on goal (3) and led all players with two assists.
- Senior keeper Cidney Lee-Sam (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) made her first start of the season for NJCU and played all 90 in net against the Beavers, making two saves.

What's Next
Fresh off their first win of the season, the Gothic Knights welcome Brooklyn College to McNulty Field on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 22, at 4:00 p.m. for another day-night doubleheader of NJCU soccer. Follow all the action live on GothicVision.