NEWARK, NJ -- Corrado Mancini second hat trick in as many games, strong goaltending by Michael Lipinski and an overall tenacious yet disciplined team effort carried the Highlanders to a 7-3 decisive victory over the Scarlet Knights. 

After a scoreless first period in which the Highlanders gave up too many quality scoring chances, the floodgates opened with six goals in the second and four more in the third. 

Midway through the second period Rutgers opened the scoring and NJIT came right back to tie the game on Mancini's first and took the lead on Ed Vinokur back door goal. 

The Scarlet Knights tied it up on a power play, but after that it was all NJIT as the Highlanders again answered with a pair in less than a minute and a half - Mancini's second followed by Alex Guimare fifth goal of the season. 

Armed with a 4-2 lead the Highlanders picked up right where they left off as Kevin Mahon blasted one in from the point for his first goal of the season, which was followed by Gary Apito first goal as a Highlander. 

Rutgers made it 6-3 with under three minutes to go and Mancini completed his hat trick on a sensational effort to finish off the Knights. 

Nick Wujek (2), Rob Amos, Guimares (1g, 1a), Mahon (1g, 1a), Adam Finkle and Corrado Mancini (3g, 1a) all had assists.

The first place and undefeated Highlanders travel to Kutztown Sunday to try to extend their four game-winning streak.