NEWARK, N.J. - Russell Maher recorded his first hat trick as a Highlander in NJIT's (1-4) 12-11 win over Wagner (0-7) on Saturday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. The game featured nine lead changes.
 
Wagner scored the first goal, before Emmerick Dopona responded for NJIT with a goal, his second consecutive game with a score. Wagner then took a 2-1 lead after scoring on the man-up opportunity late in the first quarter.
 
NJIT came out strong in the second quarter, scoring three straight goals from Ryan Sinisnky, Jadon McKenzie, and Maher. McKenzie scored his first career goal. The game was tied 6-6 at halftime.
 
The back-and-forth game continued in the third quarter, starting with goals from Sininsky and Austin Hahn. The Seahawks then scored three unanswered goals before Christopher Eiselein tied the game at 9-9.
 
Wagner struck first in the fourth quarter with a man-up goal by Danny McMahon at the 12:39 mark. Maher tied the game on the man-up opportunity at the 9:37 mark. One minute later, Alystair Hemberger recorded the game-winning goal.
 
NJIT had a 50-33 advantage in shots, a 31-21 lead in ground balls, a 7-4 edge in caused turnovers, and were 24-for-27 in clearing attempts.
 
Joey Schwarz made ten saves in his first career start. Sullivan O'Brien recorded four ground balls, and Kelly Jackson had two caused turnovers. Eight Highlanders tallied at least two points, including Maher (3 goals), Eiselein (2 goals), JC Echezuria (2 assists), Hemberger (1 goal, 1 assist), Sininsky (2 goals, 1 assist), Dopona (1 goal, 1 assist), Dylan Sebastian (1 goal, 1 assist), and McKenzie (1 goal, 1 assist).
 
Danny McMahon led Wagner with five goals. Colin Sabia and Tristan McMahon each recorded two caused turnovers, while Nate Yi made 16 saves.
 
NEXT UP
NJIT will conclude non-conference play against Lafayette on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Fisher Stadium.
 
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