BETHLEHEM, PA – The NJIT men's lacrosse team fell 15-5 in their 2017 season opener to Lehigh on Saturday at Ulrich Sports Complex.

The Highlanders (0-1) were led by Matt Brown who tallied two goals, while Ryan Kaden and Ryan Callaghan each added a goal and assist apiece. Kevin Falteisek also scored a goal for NJIT and Aaron Forster and Johnny Madaras IV each posted an assist.

The Mountain Hawks (1-0) had 11 different goal scorers, and were led by Matt Raposo (2 goals, 1 assist), Andrew Pettit (2g, 1a) and Tristian Rai (3a).

The first quarter went in favor of Lehigh who outscored the Highlanders 5-0.

In the second the Highlanders got themselves on the board with a goal from sophomore Brown assisted by senior Callaghan.

Shortly after freshman Kaden tallied his first career goal off a pass from fellow attackman Forster. Sophomore Forster tallied a game-high seven shots.

After three more goals from the Mountain Hawks , Brown tallied his second goal of the game, this time off a pass from sophomore Madaras, and making the score 9-3 going into halftime.

The third was another close quarter, with Lehigh scoring the first two goals.

NJIT goalie Nick Marzullo made a save in the fifth minute and quickly threw the ball to sophomore defender Falteisek who ran down the field, and scored the Highlanders fourth goal.

Senior Callaghan posted NJIT's last goal off a nice dish from Kaden, who saw Callaghan alone in front of the crease, where the attacker beat Lehigh keeper Chris Kiernan one-on-one.

The Mountain Hawks scored the final goal of the quarter for a 12-5 game heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter Lehigh went on a 3-0 scoring run, giving them the 15-5 win.

The Mountain Hawks earned eight saves from starting keeper Kiernan, and reserve goalie Donny Stires also got some time in net in the fourth quarter.

Junior Marzullo made 15 saved in NJIT's loss, just two shy of his record 17 he made last year against UMass Lowell.

Captain Marzullo also tallied a team-high five ground balls, with teammate John Tachon who also picked up five.

The Highlanders have a two week break from games, and return to action on February 18 traveling to Princeton, NJ to play the Tigers for a 3pm game.