LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Siena men's lacrosse team saw a trio of student athletes score hat tricks on Saturday afternoon, as Jack Kiernan, Dylan Pantalone, and Christian Watts each scored three times as the Green and Gold defeated the NJIT Highlanders by a final score of 12-5.
 
Kiernan led the combo of hat tricks with a five-point game, adding a pair of assists to his three goals. Behind Pantalone and Watts, freshman Colin Gleason tossed out two assists, and senior Maurice Tessier and juniors Brendan Lantieri and Nick Casner each scored as well. Junior Anthony Tebbano collected 11 saves with a .688 save percentage.
 
NJIT was led by Ryan Caden, who scored two goals on three shots on goal. Caden also led the Highlanders with three caused turnovers. Colin Fogerty, Colton Johnson, and Eric Sherman each scored one goal apiece on the day. Shane Calderwood would go 8-for-15 in faceoffs, while goaltender Liam Brown made 14 saves.
 
Sophomore Nick Casner got the scoring started for the Saints in the first quarter, scoring the ice breaker three minutes into the game. The Highlanders responded with a goal to tie things at 1-1, but Pantalone would strike twice and Watts scored his first as the Saints grew a 4-2 lead after one quarter. Watts added another as both sides scored two goals apiece as Siena held a 6-4 lead at the half.
 
Pantalone kick started the Saints in the second half, as he notched his third goal of the game. His goal would lead into a 6-0 run that ran to the 5:06 mark left in the fourth quarter as the Green and Gold took a 12-4 lead. Despite a late goal, Tebbano held strong in net to help secure the win for Siena.
 
The Saints return to the field next Saturday, March 7 when they head to the city to take on the St. John's Red Storm. Opening faceoff gets things started at 1 p.m.