NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT Highlanders were looking to start the Spring 2026 semester portion of their season on a strong note and they did just that.

They defeated the US Merchant Marine Academy Mariners 4-3 in another dramatic comeback win. NJIT has swept the season series at 2-0 and are now 4-4-1 in MCHC games. They maintain a Top 4 seed in the conference for playoff seeding and are 7-6-1 overall in MCHC contests.

Noah Bergen opened the scoring with his 5th goal of the season with a shorthanded  tally early in the 1st period to give NJIT an early lead. The Mariners would tie the game a couple minutes later to even the score. The two teams would remain deadlocked after the 1st stanza. USMMA took control in the 2nd period by scoring two goals to take a 3-1 lead into the locker room.

But as the Highlanders have done all season at home, they fought and battled back in the 3rd period. Sal Micciche got his team leading 14th goal with Bergen and Ian Etienne getting the helpers early in the period. Nearly four minutes later, Bergen would get his 2nd shorthanded goal of the game to level the game at 3-3. Both teams traded great opportunities for most of the period as both netminders answered the bell. But with 1:30 left, Brandon Clayton's backhander after cutting to the slot off a Micciche pass gave NJIT  the lead for good. Anton Martino got the secondary assist. The Highlanders defense shut down any last grasps and Elliot Marken made 36 saves in another great performance.

Goals: Bergen (2), Micciche, Clayton

Assists: Bergen, Etienne, Micciche, Martino

Saves: Marken 36 saves

SOG: USMMA - 39; NJIT - 27

PP: NJIT - 1/4; USMMA - 1/5

PK: NJIT - 4/5; USMMA - 3/4

Tonight's road game vs Stevens has been canceled due to incoming inclement weather. Their next game is next Saturday in a big road MCHC matchup against Western Connecticut.