Regsan Watkins enjoyed a memorable afternoon on Long Island. (Photo courtesy of NJIT)

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Senior Regsan Watkins’ hat-trick powered NJIT to a 3-2 America East men’s win at Stony Brook University at Lavalle Stadium Friday afternoon.

The Highlanders sit atop Pod C standings with a 3-2 league record, 3-4-1 overall while Stony Brook, eliminated from postseason contention, moved to 1-3-1, 1-5-1.

With one regular season match remaining NJIT will need a win or draw against UMBC Friday, April 9 to earn the top spot in Pod C. In the first meeting between NJIT and UMBC, the Highlanders record a 2-1 victory March 9. Watkins scored the game-winner in the 76th minute.

Watkins became the second Highlander in the Division I era to register a hat trick. -Senior Rene White scored the program’s first in the DI era against Saint Francis University Sept. 5, 2018. Watkins, a 5-9 forward, netted a career-best four goals during his sophomore campaign at Division II Bloomfield College against Nyack College Oct. 28, 2018.

This season, Watkins has tallied a conference-best seven goals. He also ranks second in points (17) and is tied for second in assists (three).

“I think it was a match with moments of stress,” head coach Fernando Barboto said. “But in the end we pulled out the three points we needed. Our attack had a great match scoring three goals and marginally missing goal four and five.”

Watkins opened the scoring in the 25th minute on a left-footed strike past a diving Stony Brook keeper/ Freshman Jose Escandon was credited with his third assist of the season.

Stony Brook senior Gabriel Fernandes scored in the 42nd to knot it at 1-1.

NJIT regained its lead, 2-1, with 20remaining in the half on a through ball from sophomore Alejandro Rabell to Watkins, whose shot hit off the right post and into the net.

Watkins scored goal No. 3 in the 56th minute. He collected the ball inside the box off the initial shot by White and tucked away into the upper right corner.

Kameron Blaise pulled the Seawolves within 3-2 in the 78th minute.

NJIT goalkeeper Samuel Reisgys made two saves.

Tuesday’s April 6 home match against Fordham has been canceled.

NJIT will honor its five graduating seniors prior to Friday’s match vs. UMBC – Thomas Radon, Nicholas Kozdron, Roberto Adamson Hernandez, Tristan Parker and Watkins.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.