NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT men's lacrosse team will return to action on Saturday, hosting UMass at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
Game Information
Opening face-off is set for 1:30 p.m. Live video will be available on ESPN+, with live stats at NJITHighlanders.com.
All-Time Series
UMass leads the all-time series, 3-0.
Fast Start for the Highlanders
NJIT opened the season 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
The NJIT men's lacrosse team fell to Lafayette, 19-9, Saturday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium in non-conference play in the home opener for NJIT.
The Highlanders' offense produced nine goals in the afternoon led by Will Corry, Benjamin Roberts and Austin Hahn each combining for two goals apiece.
JC Echezuria, Blake Piscitiello and Ryan Sininsky each found the back of the net for the Highlanders.
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
Blake Piscitiello: 10G, 9A, 19 PTS
Will Corry: 11G, 3A, 14 PTS
Nirio Garcia: 40-of-62 FO (.645), 27 GB
Cameron Kurdyla: 37 SV
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 UMass
UMass enters Saturday's match on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Quinnipiac, 16-8.
UMass had a balanced day offensively with seven individuals combining for the 16 tallies. Colin Coyle led the way with four goals, the first four of his collegiate career and Charles Kurtz registered a hat trick for the second straight game.
Robbie Granara (3g, 2a) and Jack Turowsky (2g, 3a) contributed a game-high five points apiece. TJ Casey logged six ground balls and Jimmy Elliot picked up three to go along with two caused turnovers.
Former UMass standout Kyle Smith was elevated from his Associate Head Coach role to Head Coach in August 2025. Smith succeeds Greg Cannella '88, who announced his retirement earlier on Friday (Aug. 29). Smith spent the past four seasons back at his alma mater on Cannella's staff as an assistant and then associate head coach.
Next Up
NJIT in a stretch of four straight at home, will return to action on Saturday, February 21 when the Highlanders welcome UMass at 1:30pm on ESPN+.
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