WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ—NJIT in the first ACHA contest of the year traveled to the Jersey Shore Arena to face Monmouth University and had to work long and hard to win, but that is exactly what they did. 

Playing a team from the highly regarded Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association for the first time ever, the Highlanders acquitted themselves well.  Although NJIT had the advantage in time of possession and territorial play, the game was tied 1-1 after the first period thanks to Dave Smetaniuk's first career goal, which was assisted by Alex Guimaraes.

The second period saw the Highlanders jump out to a 5-1 lead only to give up two goals late in the period to allow the Hawks to get back in the game.  Ryan D'Souza notched his 2nd of the year with a beautiful wrist shot (assists to Chris Sala & Dave Smetaniuk) from the high slot, followed by Timothy Valvano's perfectly timed screen shot (assists to Jason Anagnos & Alex Guimaraes).  Adam Finkle redirected a Christopher Oertel shot (2nd assist to Nick Wujek and Ed Logie got his first goal as a Highlander with some help from Kyle Bendel who fought to get the puck in the zone, even as he was knocked down to the ice.

With a seemingly comfortable 2 goal lead going into the third period NJIT was poised to cruise to the first victory of the year.  However Monmouth still had plenty of fight left in them as they closed to within 1 goal in the middle of the period.  Corrado Mancini got that one back and the lead seemed safe again. 

It was clear in less than 2 minutes that no lead was safe as the Hawks scored again on a power play goal.  It was also quite evident that Monmouth was not going to give up and their persistence paid off as they scored with less than 2 seconds on the clock.  Originally waved off by the referee, the call was reversed and the tying goal was on the board.  6-6 and we're headed for overtime!

4 vs. 4 for 5 minutes lead to plenty of chances, but no goals.  Time for a shootout!  Mancini scores for NJIT.  Michael Lipinski stops the first 2 Monmouth shooters and the Hawks goaile answers by stopping Rob Amos and Adam Finkle. 

Tension mounts as Kyle McKenna, the Hawks leading goal scorer last year, takes aim and ties the game again!  Sudden Death Shoot Out is next!  Eight Monmouth skaters try and eight times Lipinski denies them. 

 In the meantime eight Highlanders have been stymied at the other end.  Nick Wujek is next up and he puts it in.  The celebration begins - a little early, as Monmouth still has last licks.  One more time Lipinski is asked to stop a shooter and one more time he does! 

 The game that wouldn't end, finally did.  4 hrs,  15 goals, a reversed call and not to mention a broken sheet of glass causing a 1/2 hr delay and a move to another rink and the game was over. 

The Highlanders had persevered and now look ahead to their home game on Sunday night against former GNCHC rival C.W. Post 8:15 PM at Prudential Center.