Saturday, March 2
Hamilton, N.Y.
12 p.m.
Lehigh University
2-3, 1-0Patriot
10
at
8
Colgate
2-2, 0-1Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
Lehigh
2
4
3
1
10
Colgate
1
1
4
2
8
Mountain Hawks get back on track with 10-8 league-opening win at No. 16/19 Colgate
3/2/2019 3:03:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
HAMILTON, N.Y. – After No. 16/19 Colgate scored four straight third-quarter goals to pull even at six, the Lehigh men's lacrosse team responded with a 3-0 run of its own, on the way to a 10-8 Patriot League opening win on Saturday. Senior Lucas Spence returned to the lineup, posting three goals and five assists, while his brother – sophomore James Spence – made 11 saves between the pipes. Junior Conor Gaffney was sensational facing off, winning 17-of-20 with 14 groundballs. The win marks Lehigh's first over a nationally-ranked opponent since beating No. 11/13 Navy in the Patriot League Semifinals last season.
"Conor Gaffney was a difference-maker today," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "It was as dominant a faceoff performance in a Patriot League game that I've seen in a long time."
"This was a big win for this team," said Cassese. "It was a tough month of February for us; we took a lot of lumps, and we learned a great deal. Those lessons helped us put together a big Patriot League win today."
Along with Spence's five points, junior Andrew Eichelberger scored twice while senior Tristan Rai had a goal and two assists. Junior Crew Cintron added a goal and assist for his first points of the season. Defensively, senior Eddie Bouhall had two groundballs and a caused turnover, as the D allowed just two first-half goals and none over the final 11:58.
"It was great to get Lucas Spence back today," said Cassese. "He's an absolute warrior and he sets the pace for our team, especially on the offensive end of the field. He provided a much-needed spark for our offense today."
Spence opened the scoring less than a minute in. After the Raiders evened it up on the extra man almost 10 minutes later, the Mountain Hawks ended the half with five of the final six goals. Cintron began by scoring his first of the season, Eichelberger scored twice before Spence and senior Mickey Fitzpatrick helped Lehigh go up 6-2 with 7:07 left in the second quarter, which proved to be the halftime score.
Colgate responded with a 4-0 run to begin the second half to pull even at six late in the third quarter. That's when Lehigh exploded for three goals over the final 2:51 of the stanza, beginning with Rai on a strong feed from Kirst.
Spence followed with an unassisted goal.
Then, junior Ryan Klose beat the buzzer, scoring with less than a second on the clock to give Lehigh a 9-6 lead heading to the fourth.
The Mountain Hawks scored just once in the fourth, but it was a big one from senior Alexander Tumminello. The defense stood tall, allowing just two goals, as Lehigh wrapped up the 10-8 victory.
The Mountain Hawks return home for the first time in a month when they host No. 15/17 Army West Point next Saturday, Mar. 9 at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"Conor Gaffney was a difference-maker today," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "It was as dominant a faceoff performance in a Patriot League game that I've seen in a long time."
Lehigh has now won its league opener in nine of the last 10 years, and beaten Colgate for the ninth time in the last 10 tries. The Mountain Hawks are now 2-3, 1-0 in league play while the Raiders fall to 2-2, 0-1 in the Patriot League.How about a 👏 for Conor Gaffney today? 17-of-20 in the faceoff circle at #16 Colgate. @NCAALAX @Inside_Lacrosse @USLacrosseMag @PL_MLAX pic.twitter.com/Ht3rxUP7X6
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 2, 2019
"This was a big win for this team," said Cassese. "It was a tough month of February for us; we took a lot of lumps, and we learned a great deal. Those lessons helped us put together a big Patriot League win today."
Along with Spence's five points, junior Andrew Eichelberger scored twice while senior Tristan Rai had a goal and two assists. Junior Crew Cintron added a goal and assist for his first points of the season. Defensively, senior Eddie Bouhall had two groundballs and a caused turnover, as the D allowed just two first-half goals and none over the final 11:58.
"It was great to get Lucas Spence back today," said Cassese. "He's an absolute warrior and he sets the pace for our team, especially on the offensive end of the field. He provided a much-needed spark for our offense today."
Spence opened the scoring less than a minute in. After the Raiders evened it up on the extra man almost 10 minutes later, the Mountain Hawks ended the half with five of the final six goals. Cintron began by scoring his first of the season, Eichelberger scored twice before Spence and senior Mickey Fitzpatrick helped Lehigh go up 6-2 with 7:07 left in the second quarter, which proved to be the halftime score.
Colgate responded with a 4-0 run to begin the second half to pull even at six late in the third quarter. That's when Lehigh exploded for three goals over the final 2:51 of the stanza, beginning with Rai on a strong feed from Kirst.
Rai from Kirst and the Mountain Hawks retake a 7-6 lead, late third quarter at Colgate! Watch: https://t.co/wCkKiqkyta pic.twitter.com/7COA9OAShD
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 2, 2019
Spence followed with an unassisted goal.
What a snipe from Lucas Spence! Mountain Hawks retake a two-goal, 8-6 advantage late third quarter. Watch: https://t.co/wCkKiqkyta #PLTop3 pic.twitter.com/bpb0hjmlyI
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 2, 2019
Then, junior Ryan Klose beat the buzzer, scoring with less than a second on the clock to give Lehigh a 9-6 lead heading to the fourth.
Just in the nick of time!!! Make it THREE straight for Lehigh as Klose scores from Cintron with less than a second left in the third quarter. 9-6 Mountain Hawks as we head to the fourth. pic.twitter.com/zMiAEaEnY9
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 2, 2019
The Mountain Hawks scored just once in the fourth, but it was a big one from senior Alexander Tumminello. The defense stood tall, allowing just two goals, as Lehigh wrapped up the 10-8 victory.
Final shots were 37-32 in favor of Lehigh while the Mountain Hawks held a dominant 31-10 edge in groundballs. Spence's 11 saves came across Colgate's Connor Mullen, who made 16.Tumminello GOAL and Lehigh regains a 10-7 lead, midway through the fourth quarter. Watch: https://t.co/wCkKiqkyta pic.twitter.com/C2nzeWf5Bx
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 2, 2019
The Mountain Hawks return home for the first time in a month when they host No. 15/17 Army West Point next Saturday, Mar. 9 at 1 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
LEHIGH
COLGATE
Shots
37
32
Turnovers
15
14
Caused Turnovers
3
6
Faceoffs Won
17
3
Extra-Man Opps
1
3
Ground Balls
31
10
Game Leaders
G
3
A
2
FO
-
Pen
1-60
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
G
1
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
0
Players Mentioned
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