WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Sophomore John Roach recorded his first career hat trick in the Highlanders 12-5 loss to Monmouth on Tuesday at Monmouth Stadium.

The Highlanders were led by Roach, who had his first career three-goal game. Freshman Aaron Forster tallied a goal and an assist, while sophomore Jesse Rice added another goal. Patrick Benton, Ryan Bradway and Tyler Baggett each tallied an assist apiece.

For Monmouth, Bryce Wasserman also had a hat trick, while the other goals came from nine different Hawks.

The first period was quiet until the fourth minute, when Hawk Dan Bloodgood struck off a pass from Grier Wilson.

Just over a minute later Monmouth tallied another goal from Wasserman who came around the back of the crease, sneaking the ball past NJIT keeper Nick Marzullo, who posted six saves in the first period alone.

The Hawks would score another goal in the last minute of play, putting them up 3-0 in the first period.

Wasserman got his second and third goals of the game in the second period, while Hunter Jones added another goal to make Monmouth's lead 6-0 going into halftime.

In a close third period, the Highlanders outscored he Hawks, 3-2, starting with an early goal from Jesse Rice on a pass from Ryan Bradway during a man-up opportunity giving NJIT their first points of the day.

The Hawks retaliated with back-to-back goals, but NJIT had more to add, with two goals from Roach to finish out the third period with the Highlanders trailing 8-3.

In the fourth quarter, Roach got his third and final goal of the game, while Forster added another. But the Highlanders couldn't hold off the Hawk offense and the game ended with a score of 12-5.

NJIT goalkeeper Marzullo had 11 saves in the loss, including a team-high four ground balls while for the Hawks, starter Nick Hreshko made six saves and Grant Gillan who got some time between the pipes in the fourth quarter, tallied one.

The Highlanders will head to West Point on March 13 to face Army at 12pm.