The men’s lacrosse team hasn’t backed down from a challenge all season, facing one ranked opponent after another. Their most recent game on Friday, March 29, was no exception.
The Cavs rallied from a two-goal deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 15 Ithaca College, 10-8.
The Cavs got off to a roaring start in the first, scoring three goals in the final six minutes. Ben Laffoon netted his fourth goal of the season to tie the score at one with 5:34 remaining.
Andrew Layne added his second goal of the season with just under four minutes to play in the quarter to give the Cavs the lead. Damian Sobieski scored his ninth goal of the season two minutes later.
But Ithaca responded in the second. Jake Long and Michael Walker both scored for the Bombers to even the score less than five minutes into the quarter.
Sobieski’s second goal of the game with 8:56 left in the half put the Cavs in front again. But Joe Perkins knotted the score just over a minute later. The two teams went into the half tied at four.
The Bombers would control the third quarter, led by James Manilla. He scored a hat trick in the third, giving the Bombers a 7-5 advantage after three quarters. Evan Allvord scored his first goal of the season for the Cavs in the third.
But the Cavs rebounded in the fourth. Sobieski picked up the hat trick with 13:33 remaining in the game. It was his 11th goal of the season.
Corey Elmer tied the game just over a minute later with his team-leading 17th goal of the season.
Long scored his second goal of the game with 9:32 to play putting the Bombers back in front.
But the lead didn’t last long as Andrew Protenic’s third goal of the season tied the score back up just three minutes later.
With 4:06 to play, Anthony DiSanzo scored to put the Cavs in front.
Bobby Thorp’s goal with 2:39 to play capped the scoring as the Cavs out-scored the Bombers, 5-1, in the final quarter en route to the victory.
The win improves the Cavs to 5-3 on the season and is a statement victory over a ranked opponent, the Cavs’ second in a week’s time.
The Cavs also defeated No. 16 Union College just five days earlier.
The Cavs out-shot Ithaca, 37-31, in the victory.
After facing six ranked opponents in their first eight games of the season, the Cavs now enter conference play.
They also enter on a hot streak, winning their last two games and four of their last five.
The Cavs take the field again on Wednesday, April 3, for their first CSAC game of the season in Hackettstown, N.J. against Centernary College. They’re next home game is Saturday, April 6, against non-conference opponent Denison University.
