Men's Lacrosse 3/19/2021 6:38:00 PM

Men's Lacrosse And Vermont Face Off Saturday In Newark

Game 5	No. 19/19 Vermont (2-2, 2-0 AE)
Date \| Time	Saturday, March 20 \| 1:00 pm
Location \| Arena	Newark, N.J. \| Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium
All-Time Series	Vermont leads 2-0
Live Stats	In-Game Statistics
Live Video	AmericaEast.TV
Game Notes	NJIT (PDF) \| Vermont

NEWARK, N.J. --- NJIT Men's Lacrosse (0-4, 0-2 AE) returns home for an America East clash with the No. 19 Vermont Catamounts.

LAST TIME OUT
Despite a sensational opening quarter in its second America East contest, NJIT was defeated on the road by the Stony Brook Seawolves Sunday evening at Lavalle Stadium. The Highlanders ended the first quarter tied with the Seawolves (4-4) on goals from Jack Bowie (2), Collin Fogerty and Owen Corry and assists from Gavyn Willson (3) but were outscored 9-0 over the final three quarters. Sophomore Liam Brown came one save shy of his season high, making 19 saves in the game and logging 10+ saves for the sixth time in his last seven games dating back to last season. Brown also led the team with four ground balls while freshman Teddy Grimley and senior Lynch Raby - in his first game of the season - led NJIT with a pair of caused turnovers.

A HISTORIC MEETING
NJIT and Stony Brook's matchup on Sunday was only the second time the two teams had met. The first meeting was a historic one for the Highlanders - its first-ever game as a program on February 20, 2015.

TOP HONORS
Brown's 20-save performance in the season opener vs. Delaware on February 20 currently stands as the top saves effort in the America East this season and is tied for the seventh-most saves in the country this year. Brown also ranks tenth in the nation in saves per game (14.25) and NJIT as a team is tied for third in the NCAA in saves per game (16.50).

SIGNS OF GROWTH
NJIT's ten goals against Lehigh on February 27 were the most the team has scored in the six-game series between the two teams and marked the most the Highlanders have scored against a ranked opponent. The previous mark for goals against a ranked foe was eight goals at No.13/13 Lehigh on Feb. 2, 2019.

A NEW ERA BEGINS
The Highlanders are playing the 2021 campaign - its first in the program's seven-year history - with a true conference home. NJIT played its first five years as a Division I independent and competed in 2020 as an affiliate member of the Northeast Conference. Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, NJIT's season was shortened before it was slated to play its first-ever conference game against Long Island University on March 14. That history-making contest is now scheduled for Saturday as full members of the America East Conference, which NJIT officially joined as its tenth member on July 1, 2020.

A SEASON LIKE NO OTHER
Like many schools across the country, NJIT men's lacrosse will be managing the 2021 campaign while working to maintain the safety of the NJIT community during the current COVID-19 public health crisis. Please bookmark NJITHighlanders.com to keep up-to-date on any schedule changes that may arise because of the pandemic or weather-related issues.

As for fans this season, due to COVID protocol policy, the NJIT Department of Athletics is prohibiting spectators at our Indoor & Outdoor Athletic Events.

2021 CAPTAINS
Seventh-year head coach Travis Johnson named seniors Luke Binder (defender), Colton Johnson (midfielder), and Max Wilson (midfielder) team captains for the 2021 season. Binder was named team captain after serving last season and returning for a fifth campaign while Johnson and Wilson step into captaincy roles after Ryan Kaden and John Tachon graduated.

"We are proud to announce that Luke, CJ & Max will be our captains for the 2021 season. These young men have helped make an extremely difficult year a little easier with their leadership on and off the field. I'm so happy for these three young men that they have been picked by their teammates to represent them," Johnson said after naming the trio of leaders.

IN 2020 AND THE OFFSEASON
- NJIT nearly reset its single-game record for goals in a game with 24 against Hampton in its season-opening 24-7 victory
- The Highlanders set new team marks for single-game assists (15 vs Hampton) and points (39 vs Hampton)
- Max Wilson was drafted in the first round (seventh overall) by the Victoria Shamrocks in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) Graduating Junior Draft in February.

2021 LEADERS
- Goals: Jack Bowie (7)
- Assists: Gavyn Willson (4)
- Points: Bowie (8)
- Ground Balls: Owen Corry (12)
- Man-Up Goals: Bowie (2)
- Faceoff %: Billy Kroeger (.600 | 6-10); Isaac Vanzomeren (.418 | 23-55)
- Shots: Collin Fogerty/Owen Corry (28)
- SOG: Corry (11 | .393)
- Caused Turnovers: Luke Binder (4)

STIFF COMPETITION
The Highlanders will face a nationally notable schedule this season, as five of NJIT's 11 scheduled opponents made an appearance on at least one of the two Week 1 polls (USILA and Inside Lacrosse):
- Delaware | RV IL
- Lehigh | No. 14 IL, No. 15 USILA
- Stony Brook | No. 20 IL, RV USILA
- UAlbany | RV - USILA and IL
- UMBC | RV USILA

2021 SCHEDULE NOTES
- 11 games scheduled - two non-conference, nine America East
- First home game: February 20 vs Delaware
- First road game: February 27 at Lehigh
- First-ever AE game: March 6 vs Binghamton
- First AE road game: March 13 at Stony Brook
- Repeat matchups: April 3 at Binghamton; April 10 vs Stony Brook
- Senior Day: May 1 vs UMBC
- America East Playoffs: March 6-8
- More than half of NJIT's opponents (six of 11) will be facing the Highlanders for the first time.
- NJIT is not scheduled to play back-to-back home games this season but will have a pair two-game road trips: March 27 at UMass Lowell and April 3 at Binghamton; April 17 at Hartford and April 24 at UAlbany.

ALL-TIME SERIES
NJIT and Vermont will be meeting for the third time in their history. Vermont leads the series 2-0 with the teams' last meeting coming on February 26, 2016 (Vermont 19-5).

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Vermont have alternated wins and losses in their four games but picked up a win over No. 14 UAlbany in their last game on March 13, 14-12. The Catamounts are led by Michael McCormack (12 G, 3 A), Liam Limoges (10 G, 7 A), Tommy Burke (27 GB, 68-104 FO). and Ryan Cornell (12.80 GAA, 48 saves).

NEXT UP
NJIT will begin a two-game road trip with a March 27 meeting with UMass Lowell. Gametime is currently scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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