WEST CHESTER, PA - Brendan Smith netted a hat trick to lead the West Chester University Rams over NJIT, 6-1 at Ice Line Arena on Saturday.

Smith notched his first tally 10:31 into the first period. He then added goals at 7:18 into the second and at 5:47 into the third.

West Chester's Michael Hanson was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 27 saves and let only one puck past him. Hanson certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 3.88 entering the contest.

Others who scored for West Chester included Connor Freas, Jonah Schrager, and Joseph Porretta, who scored one goal each. In addition, the Rams received assists from Luke Iovannoni, Boyd Dougherty, TJ Janus, Michael Kollhoff, Troy Chaplin, Matthew Schulz, and Brandon McNeal, who contributed one each.

In net for the Highlanders, Andrew Irizarry made 16 saves before being replaced by Thomas Pyrka, who made 18 saves.

Yllano Tubilleja scored the lone NJIT goal on a breakaway in the 2nd period.