NEWARK, NJ -- The NJIT men's hockey team was looking to split the home-and-home set with the Stevens Ducks after a one-goal loss on Friday and they did just that. The Highlanders were able to break a 1-1 tie with two 3rd period goals, but not after a tremendous performance in goal by Senior netminder Noah Vasquez. The 3-1 victory was NJIT 1st win in the 2021-2022 season and their 1st win on the road as well. The Highlanders record now stands at 1-2.
The Ducks got the 1st goal of the night on the power play midway through the 1st period. Stevens could have easily had more if not for the many great saves made by Vasquez to keep it at 1-0. Stevens had stretches in the period where they dominated zone time and had numerous scoring chances but were all denied.
Matthew Torre tied the game in the early half of the 2nd period to level the score even at 1. That was Torre's 2nd point of the season with Matthew Francescutto and Dalton Smith getting the assists. Vasquez continued to make big saves as the Highlanders were able to settle in and play a much more even game as the score remained 1-1 after two periods.
NJIT had a 5-on-3 man advantage to start the 3rd period, they were not able to connect on the 5-on-3, but Dalton Smith was able to score on the 5-on-4 power play 11 seconds into the period. It was Smith's second point of the night and gave the Highlanders a 2-1 lead. Francescutto got his 2nd assist of the night and Ted Lee got the other assist on the Smith goal. Rohan Ganta gave NJIT a 2 goal advantage on a nice play driving to the net just over the middle portion of the period. Ryan Downey got the lone assist on the goal. Vasquez capped off his great night with many more great saves as the Ducks tried to cut the lead in half, but he kept steady all game. Vasquez finished the game with 38 saves to close out the victory for NJIT.
Goals: Torre, Dalton Smith, Ganta
Assists: Francescutto (2), Dalton Smuth, Lee, Downey
Saves: Vasquez 38 saves
SOG: Stevens - 39 NJIT - 26
PP: Stevens - 1/4 NJIT - 1/5
PK: Stevens - 5/6 NJIT - 3/4
The Highlanders will travel to Lawrenceville next Friday to take on the Rider Broncs at 8:30, then on October 9th and 10th, they will start Colonial States play in road games against Millersville and West Chester. NJIT will return to RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House on October 17th against the Seton Hall Pirates.
