NEWARK, NJ — The NJIT men's lacrosse team opens its 2026 home slate on Saturday, welcoming Lafayette to Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Game Information
Opening faceoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Live video will be available on America East TV, with live stats at NJITHighlanders.com.
All-Time Series
Lafayette leads the series, 6-0, with the programs first meeting during the 2015 season.
Fast Start for the Highlanders
NJIT enters the matchup 2-0 for the first time since 2024. The Highlanders opened the season with a 22-8 win over Hampton (Feb. 3) followed by a 17-10 victory over St. John's (Feb. 8).
Last Time Out
Blake Piscitiello powered NJIT past St. John's with nine points (6 goals, 3 assists). Will Corry and Ryan Sininsky added five points apiece.
Defensively, Sullivan O'Brien posted six ground balls and two caused turnovers, while in goal, Cameron Kurdyla made 11 saves.
NJIT won 63.3% of faceoffs, led by Nirio Garcia (14-of-21) and outshot the Johnnies 56-37.
America East Weekly Honors (Feb. 9)
NJIT swept the America East weekly awards:
–Offensive Player & Rookie of the Week: Blake Piscitiello
–Defensive Player of the Week: Sullivan O'Brien
–Goalkeeper of the Week: Cameron Kurdyla
–Faceoff Specialist of the Week: Nirio Garcia
All four earned their first career weekly conference honors.
Highlander Stat Leaders
2025 Rewind
JC Echezuria earned America East All-Rookie honors after leading NJIT with 29 points. Emmerick Dopona paced the team with 15 caused turnovers, while O'Brien led non-faceoff players with 28 ground balls. Joey Schwarz ranked second in the conference with 11.83 saves per game during league play.
Scouting Lafayette
The Leopards enter at 1-1, having defeated Binghamton 10-9 before a narrow 13-12 loss to Air Force. Benjamin DiBattista leads Lafayette with seven points (6G, 1A). Nick Faccone was named Patriot League Faceoff Specialist of the Week after winning 73.1% of his draws and collecting 10 ground balls.
Next Up
NJIT continues a four-game homestand on February 21, hosting UMass at 11:30 a.m.
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