Dragons Power Past NJIT, 17-5

Wednesday, February 26

Newark, N.J.

7 p.m.

Drexel University

2-2

NJIT

0-3

DREXEL

NJIT

2/26/2025 8:40:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Witt Crawford has career night with six points in the win

NEWARK, N.J. - Drexel had its best all-around game of the young season on Wednesday night in a victory a convincing 17-5 win at NJIT. Witt Crawford and Max Semple each had four goals to lead the Dragons, who are now 2-2.

The Dragons scored just six seconds in and never trailed in the game. Aidan Shortley won the face-off and found Witt Crawford giving the Dragons an early lead. Less than two minutes later, Crawford was at it again, this time scoring an unassisted goal. The Highlanders (0-3) were able to trim the deficit to 2-1 on goal by Christopher Eiseline at the 10:42 mark.

The score remained the same until the second quarter. Once again, the Dragons started a quarter strong, this time scoring three times in the first four minutes to take a 5-1 lead. Crawford completed a hat trick scoring off a nice feed from Owen Knight. Just 50 seconds later, Knight came in from behind the net and beat the Highlanders keeper for his first goal. Max Semple then got on the bard at the 11:29 mark of the second. The Dragons added two more, one from Semple after a good offensive possession where the ball moved real well through the offensive zone, and the next from Conor Hooley. The Dragons' defense held NJIT off the board for a span of almost 25 minutes before the Highlanders broke the run in the final minutes. Drexel took a 7-2 lead to the locker room.

The second half was all Drexel as the Dragons scored 10 goals over the final two periods. Eight different players had at least a goal for Steve Boyle's club. Crawford added two assists to go with his four goals for a career-high six points. Semple continued his climb up the DU charts with his four scores. He now has 96 in his career. Hooley, Will Farrell and Jack Joyner each had a pair of goals.

Drexel's defense was solid all night. The Dragons caused 10 of NJIT's 23 turnovers and had 31 ground balls, to just 22 for the Highlanders. Drew McGill had his best game of the season in the cage. Drexel's goalkeeper had nine saves in allowing just five goals. Brenden Donnelly came in for the last few minutes and did not allow a goal while stopping two shots.

The Dragons will be back in action this weekend when they head to Georgia for the first time. Drexel will face Mercer as part of the 2025 Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech. Notre Dame will play Maryland in the first game of the doubleheader.