VESTAL, N.Y. - The NJIT men's lacrosse team (1-6, 0-1 AE) fell to Binghamton (3-4, 2-0 AE), 9-4, in its America East opener on Saturday at Bearcats Sports Complex.
 
NJIT recorded 18 caused turnovers, the highest single-game total in program history. Emmerick Dopona led the Highlanders with a career-high five caused turnovers. Dopona and Sullivan O'Brien each produced four ground balls.
 
Binghamton scored two goals in seven seconds starting at the 13:01 mark in the first quarter. Dylan Sebastian netted his third goal of the season in the final minute of the first period, assisted by JC Echezuria.
 
Echezuria scored his first goal of the game in the second quarter, but Binghamton led 3-2 at halftime.
 
The Bearcats held NJIT scoreless in the second half until Echezuria scored his second goal of the game at 9:04 in the fourth quarter. Christopher Eiselein added his seventh goal of the season in the fourth quarter to make it a 7-4 game. However, the Bearcats scored two more goals in the last three minutes to secure the victory.
 
Echezuria led the Highlanders with three points (2 goals, 1 assist). Joey Schwarz made a career-high 15 saves, posting a 62.5% save percentage.
 
Liam Ferris and Dan Garone each recorded three points for Binghamton. The Bearcats outshot NJIT 46-20, held a 36-24 advantage in ground balls, and won 13-of-17 faceoffs. 
 
NEXT UP
The Highlanders will begin a two-game homestand against Vermont on March 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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