LEXINGTON, VA – The NJIT men's lacrosse team dropped a 9-8 decision to VMI on Saturday afternoon at Drill Field #2, led by Aaron Forster's four goals, which ties the NJIT record for goals in a game.

Also for the Highlanders (0-3) Ryan Callaghan added two goals and an assist, while Ryan Kaden and Ryan Darrow each notched one goal and one assist apiece.

Leading the Keydets (1-1) was Chris Spada and Brad Nardella who scored five of VMI's nine goals, Spada grabbing the hat-trick and Nardella added on two more.

In a high scoring first quarter, the Highlanders came out on top with each of its goal scorers tallying a goal.

Sophomore Forster was first to attack, when he rolled around the crease for NJIT's first goal, and his first of the season.

Nardella scored a man up goal to tie things up at 1-1, but Darrow and Kaden answered with goals of their own to give the Highlanders back their lead.

After the Keydets tied it back up at 3-3, Forster struck again this time with help from Callaghan to give the Highlanders the edge.

With five seconds remaining in the quarter senior Callaghan added one more to give NJIT some more cushion, and a 5-3 lead.

Each team posted a goal in a low scoring second quarter, with Callaghan notching his second of the game off a pass from freshman Kaden and giving the Highlanders the 6-4 lead going into halftime.

VMI was the only one to tally a point in the third, making their slow comeback with the Highlanders still holding the 6-5 lead.

In a six-goal fourth quarter, the Keydets scored three goals to give themselves their first lead of the game 8-6.

NJIT didn't let up with another goal by Forster assisted by sophomore Darrow.

Nardella scored his second of the game for VMI's final ninth goal.

In the final minute of play, Forster scored a behind the back shot to bring the Highlanders back within one again.

NJIT's Darrow won the face-off off the goal to give the Highlanders one more chance at tying up the game.

With two last shot opportunities by Darrow and fellow sophomore Matt Brown, the Highlanders were unable to finish, and the final score stayed 9-8.

Highlander keeper Nick Marzullo posted 15 saves in the loss, and Joe Riccadonna made seven in his first win of 2017.

The last game for NJIT in February will be at Hofstra on February 28 for a 7pm game.