NEWARK, N.J. — More awards have come in for the NJIT men's lacrosse team after their season opening victory.

Graduate goalkeeper Liam Brown and grad defender Hank Bethel have been named to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/Blatant Lacrosse Division I Team of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. The USILA recognizes ten players for posting exceptional performances in their programs games over the past week

The pair were part of NJIT's 10-8 win at St. John's on February 3, the program's first ever over a BIG EAST opponent and first to begin a campaign since 2020.

Brown, who was also named America East Defensive Player of the Week, made 20 saves against St. John's, extending his current streak of double-digit save games to 14 and recording the sixth 20+ save performance of his career - both dating back to the 2023 season opener at Siena. With 570 career saves, Brown is also closing in on the school record for career saves, currently held by former Highlander Nick Marzullo (579 from 2015-18).

Bethel, playing in his first game as a Highlander after four years at Bucknell, started on defense and helped NJIT hold St. John's returning leading scorer Brian Kelly without a point in the contest. Bethel, Brown and the NJIT defense also held St. John's to the second-fewest goals the Highlanders have ever allowed in a season opener, behind the seven scored by Hampton in NJIT's 24-7 win on February 1, 2020.

With Brown and Bethel being selected, NJIT's all-time USILA Team of the Week award tally now sits at four:

• Liam Brown - February 6, 2024
• Hank Bethel - February 6, 2024
• Owen Corry - March 30, 2021
• Aaron Forster - March 6, 2019

The Highlanders will return to action on Saturday, February 10 at 1 p.m. for the 2024 home opener against Siena.