NEWARK, N.J. — The NJIT Men's Lacrosse team returns to Lubetkin FIeld for the first time in a month for a Jersey lacrosse battle with the Monmouth Hawks.
NJIT COVID-19 POLICY
For NJIT Men's Lacrosse home games, masks are strongly encouraged when sitting in the stands of Lubetkin Field. However, masks ARE required when entering NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
LAST TIME OUT
NJIT came out strong in their non-conference matchup against Wagner but could not hold on as the host Seahawks rallied to defeat the Highlanders, 7-4, on March 5.
Gavyn Willson once again led the way for NJIT (0-5) with a pair of goals while Beck Gozdenovich, Gage Adams, and Owen Corry added a goal apiece. Collin Fogerty, Myles Hickey and Adams also chipped in an assist each.
Matthew Bowerman matched the game-high with a career-best-typing five ground balls while Lynch Raby also matched a career-high with three caused turnovers.
Billy Kroeger was nearly perfect from on faceoffs, going 8-for-9 on the afternoon and Liam Brown stopped 18 shots for his eighth career game with at least 18 saves.
EVERYDAY IMPACT
After five games, Gavyn Willson has been the most consistent Highlander on the offensive side. Willson has recorded multiple points in all five matchups - the only NJIT player to do so.
ROOKIE STANDOUT
Adams' early season efforts earned him the first America East Rookie of the Week honor of 2022 on February 14. The Kirkland, WA native totaled seven points (4 G, 3 A) in the Highlanders' matchups at No. 16/19 Delaware (2 G, 2 A) and vs. No. 15 Lehigh (2 G, 1 A).
Adams' seven points were tied for the league lead with UMass Lowell's Colin Foley and his four goals shared the conference benchmark with Foley and Highlander teammate Arthur Miller.
The honor is the second weekly award NJIT has received since joining the America East. Teammate Owen Corry earned the first - Offensive Player of the Week - last season after leading the Highlanders to their first-ever league win at UMass Lowell.
FACEOFF TAKEOFF
Billy Kroeger's 20 faceoff wins against Delaware tied former Highlander Tyler Stevenson's school record for faceoff wins in a single game. Stevenson set the mark by going 20-26 at Lafayette on February 9, 2019. NJIT's 21 total faceoff wins (21-29) marked the first time the Highlanders corralled at least 20 faceoffs since the 2020 season opener against Hampton (2/1/2020; 20-33).
PUSHING THROUGH
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NJIT will look to complete a 13-game slate in its eighth year as a program and its second season as a member of the America East conference. The Highlanders will play five home games in its third season at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium and travel for eight games.
DURING THE 2021-22 OFFSEASON
- Max Wilson was drafted 12th overall in the 2021 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Draft by the Halifax Thunderbirds.
- Eric Sherman was named an America East Winter Presidential Scholar Athlete as a student-athlete with a GPA of 3.75 or better.
- Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan was added to the Board of Directors of the United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA).
- Head Coach Travis Johnson made changes to his coaching staff, elevating Blase Mantineo to lead assistant coach and hiring Cade Siddron to round out the staff.
2022 STATS LEADERS
TOP RETURNERS (2021 TOTALS)
THROUGH THE GAUNTLET
The Highlanders will once again take on a highly competitive schedule with the goal of preparing for the rigors of the America East season. Like 2021, NJIT's schedule includes five teams that at least received votes in the Preseason Inside Lacrosse or USILA/Dynamic poll:
- Delaware: No. 16 IL / No. 19 USILA
- Lehigh: No. 14/10
- Army West Point: No. 10/13
- Vermont: No. 17/15
- UAlbany: RV/RV
WORKING OUR WAY UP
NJIT was voted to finish sixth in the seven-team America East Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches Poll. With the conference's decision regarding Stony Brook's championship eligibility due to its pending departure for the CAA, the Highlanders will look to find their way into the top four of the remaining six teams eligible for the America East tournament and make a league tournament for the first time in program history.
2022 SCHEDULE NOTES
- 13 games scheduled - seven non-conference, six America East
- First home game: February 12 vs Lehigh
- First road game: February 5 at Delaware
- First AE game (road): March 19 at Vermont
- First AE home game: March 26 vs UMass Lowell
- First time opponent: February 19 at Harvard
- Senior Day: April 22 vs UAlbany
- America East Playoffs: March 5-7
- Longest Road Trip: February 19 - March 5 (Harvard, Army West Point, Wagner
- Longest Home Stand: March 26 - April 2 (UMass Lowell, Binghamton)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Monmouth enters Friday's game at 1-3, having split its last two games. The Hawks defeated Wagner in their home opener, 9-7, on March 1 before falling on the road at Saint Joseph's, 15-10, on March 5. Monmouth is led by Connor Macrae (9 G, 1 A), Cade Stratton (2 G, 5 A), Matt Soutar (31 GB, 51-104 FO), and Noah Lode (220:16, 16.07 GAA, 57 saves)
NEXT UP
NJIT opens America East play next weekend (March 19) on the road at Vermont. Game time is scheduled for Noon.
