NEWARK, NJ--After a dramatic near comeback overtime game against Maritime College on Saturday, the Highlanders were looking to end the fall semester portion of the season with a win.
But, NJIT did not have the same energetic performance as US Merchant Marine Academy won 8-2 in the 1st meeting between the MCHC foes. The Highlanders are now 0-9-1 overall in ACHA games and 0-8-1 in MCHC contests.
The Mariners scored the opening goal 2:05 into the 1st period to grab an early lead. They extended their lead with a shorthanded goal past the halfway mark in the stanza. But, Rohan Ganta responded just over a minute later to cut the deficit in half. Brendan Clayton and Sal Micciche got the assists on Ganta's 6th goal of the season. USMMA would take a 2-1 lead into the locker room.
The Mariners would take full control of the game in the 2nd period scoring 3 goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead after the 2nd intermission. Starting goaltender Noah Gibb was pulled after the 4th goal and Colby Puletz would man the net for the remainder of the game. USMMA would continue to pour it on early in the 3rd, scoring two goals in a span of 56 seconds to further put the game out of reach. Matthew Francescutto would score his 6th goal of the season by jamming the puck in after cutting to the net to make it a 7-2 game at 8:11. Noah Bergen got the lone assist on the goal. The Mariners would get a late goal to win the game by a 6-goal margin. Noah Gibb made 14 saves and Colby Puletz made 33 saves in relief.
Goals: Ganta, Francescutto
Assists: Clayton, Micciche, Bergen
Saves: Gibb 14 saves, Puletz 33 saves
SOG: USMMA - 54 NJIT - 23
PP: USMMA - 0/2 NJIT - 0/5
PK: USMMA - 5/5 NJIT - 2/2
NJIT will return to action for the Spring Semester with a game against US Merchant Marine Academy on January 19th at Kings Point, NY at 10pm. The Highlanders' next home will be on January 20th against the Stockton Ospreys at 8:30 pm. We wish all NJIT Hockey family, friends, fans, supporters, and staff a Happy Holidays and see you in 2024.
