Blake Piscitiello Named America East Rookie of the Year, 6 Highlanders Earn All-Conference Honors
Freshman Blake Piscitiello has been named the 2026 America East Rookie of the Year, headlining a group of six NJIT Highlanders who earned All-Conference recognition, the league office announced Wednesday.
In addition to Rookie of the Year honors, Piscitiello was named to the All-America East First Team and All-Rookie Team. Ryan Sininsky, Emmerick Dopona, and Cameron Kurdyla earned All-America East Second Team recognition, while Will Corry and Carson Piscitiello joined Blake Piscitiello on the All-Rookie Team.
Blake Piscitiello
Rookie of the Year | First Team All-America East | All-Rookie Team
Piscitiello, a five-time America East Rookie of the Week and one-time Offensive Player of the Week, delivered a historic freshman campaign. He set NJIT single-season records for points (65) and assists (30) and finished one goal shy of the program's single-season goals record (36).
The 5-foot-10 attackman ranked second in the America East in assists per game (2.14) and points per game (4.64), and fourth in goals per game (2.50).
Piscitiello recorded a season-high nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) at St. John's (Feb. 8), tying for the second-highest single-game total in program history. He also dished out five assists against Hampton (Feb. 3), matching the NJIT single-game record.
He scored at least one goal in 13 of 14 games, recorded one assist or more in 12 contests, and posted multiple points in every game this season, including a stretch of four consecutive hat tricks.
The Lakeville, MN native ranked tied for 15th nationally in points per game and tied for 18th in assists per game, leading all Division I freshmen in both categories.
Ryan Sininsky
Second Team All-America East
One of four seniors, Sininsky started all 14 games, totaling 18 goals and nine assists for 27 points. He scored at least one goal in 12 contests and recorded a point in 13 of 14 games, highlighted by a hat trick against St. John's (Feb. 8).
Emmerick Dopona
Second Team All-America East
Dopona started 13 games and was a key defensive presence, collecting at least one ground ball in 13 contests, including a season-high five against Lafayette (Feb. 14). He also forced at least one turnover in 10 games, with a career-best four against Monmouth (March 3), and added an assist at Vermont (March 28). For the season, Dopona combined for 31 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers.
Cameron Kurdyla
Second Team All-America East
Sophomore goalkeeper Kurdyla anchored the Highlanders' defense, ranking second nationally in saves per game (14.69). He posted a career-high 21 saves against UMass Lowell, tied for the seventh-highest single-game total nationally this season.
Kurdyla led the America East in both save percentage (.550) and saves per game (14.69), recording double-digit saves in 13 of 14 contests.
Will Corry
All-Rookie Team
Corry appeared in all 14 games with 11 starts, finishing with 27 goals and five assists for 32 points. He scored in 13 contests, including a six-goal performance in his collegiate debut against Hampton (Feb. 3), and posted a season-high seven points in that game.
He ranked ninth in the conference in goals per game (1.93) and 13th in points per game (2.29).
Carson Piscitiello
All-Rookie Team
Piscitiello played in 13 games with 12 starts, recording 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points. His five assists against Sacred Heart (Feb. 28) tied the NJIT single-game record. He finished fourth in the America East in assists per game (1.31) and 12th in points per game (2.31).
The Highlanders' six postseason honorees mark the most in program history.
NJIT America East Postseason Honors (Recent Years)
2026
- Blake Piscitiello – Rookie of the Year, First Team, All-Rookie
- Ryan Sininsky – Second Team
- Emmerick Dopona – Second Team
- Cameron Kurdyla – Second Team
- Will Corry – All-Rookie
- Carson Piscitiello – All-Rookie
2025
- JC Echezuria – All-Rookie
- Isaac Vanzomeren – All-Academic
2024
- Liam Brown – Second Team, All-Academic
- Hank Bethel – Second Team
- Garrett Muscatella – All-Academic
2023
- Owen Corry – Second Team
- Liam Brown – All-Academic
- Garrett Muscatella – All-Academic
- Isaac Vanzomeren – All-Academic
2022
- Gage Adams – All-Rookie
- Liam Brown – All-Academic
2021
- Owen Corry – All-Rookie
- Liam Brown – All-Academic