Nov. 24, 2007

Schenectady, NY - Continuing to use the tight "box and one" defensive scheme the Highlanders won their first game of the season last night as they avenged an early season loss to Union College in an exciting rematch last night in Schenectady, NY.

The fact that the game was decided in overtime was fitting since Messa Rink is home to the longest NCAA hockey game in history. (Yale 3 - Union 2 in 141:35 on March 4, 2006) That this game even went into overtime was suspect due to the fact that an "assistant referee" chose to call a delay of game penalty against the Highlanders in the last few minutes, when it had been Union that continuously failed to line up properly for face-offs throughout the game.

Union College opened the scoring with a goal early in the 1st period. NJIT answered back with 3 straight goals. Rookie James Wintjen sandwiched a pair around a Kevin Mulligan goal.

Union came back with another goal to cut the lead to one and the game settled down as both teams knew it was going to be a battle. Colin McArdle scored on a power play in the 2nd period as the Highlanders regained a two-goal lead, but Union came right back with one of their own.

The 3rd period saw both teams trade chances, but no goals - Until the referees decided to make a once-in-a-lifetime call and give Union the man-advantage, on which they capitalized. The score was tied at 4 apiece when the horn sounded.

However, NJIT was not to be denied as they were rewarded with an overtime victory when Tim Cornely scored the game winner with .01 second on the clock!

Joe Cestaro, as usual - was outstanding in net, even though he injured his catching arm early on in the contest.

(release courtesy of head coach Bob McMorrow)