Saturday, March 23
Annapolis, Md.
12 p.m.
Lehigh University
6-3, 4-0PL
15
at
8
Navy
4-4, 2-2PL
1
2
3
4
F
Lehigh
3
1
6
5
15
Navy
1
4
2
1
8
No. 15 Lehigh scores 11 of final 13 goals to pull away for big win at Navy, 15-8
3/23/2019 8:43:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Trailing 6-4 early in the third quarter, the No. 15 Lehigh men's lacrosse team ended the game on an 11-2 run to give the Mountain Hawks their fifth straight victory, a 15-8 triumph at Navy on Saturday afternoon at Navy Marine-Corps Memorial Stadium. The win marks the 100th in Kevin Cassese's head coaching career, all coming at Lehigh. In his 12th year, Cassese is the fastest coach in program history to reach the milestone, and just the second overall. Lehigh's seven-goal win marked its largest-ever margin of victory at Navy, and second largest overall in the 41 all-time games between the two schools, a series that dates back to 1910.
With the win, the Mountain Hawks improve to 6-3. They are 4-0 in Patriot League play for a second straight season. Lehigh's five-game winning streak is the program's longest since 2013.
"Once again, I was proud of the effort and resilience our team displayed today," said Cassese. "Adversity, mainly by way of injury, continues to hit us and we continue to adapt and overcome. It's a testament to my assistant coaches, our captains and our upperclassmen."
Senior Lucas Spence led the offense with six points behind four goals and two assists. Since his return to the lineup earlier this month, Spence has 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) in five games, scoring multiple goals in all five contests, including four hat tricks. Included for Spence was one of the goals of the year, not only for Lehigh, but arguably all of NCAA Lacrosse.
Senior Tristan Rai added four points via two goals and two assists while classmates Mickey Fitzpatrick and Alexander Tumminello each had two goals apiece. Freshman Tommy Schelling posted a career-high three points (two goals, one assist). Junior Crew Cintron tied a career high with two points (one goal, one assist). Senior Craig Chick helped lead the defense with three groundballs and a caused turnover. Tumminello and junior Erik DiGirolamo each caused a turnover as well. Sophomore Matt Douglas collected a career-high eight groundballs.
Junior Conor Gaffney finished 17-of-26 facing off. After winning just 5-of-10 in the second half, he won 12-of-16 in the second, putting together another spectacular performance. Sophomore James Spence was stellar in goal, making a career-high tying 17 saves for the second time in the last three games. During Lehigh's five-game winning streak, Spence has stopped 62-of-101 shots sent his way (61.4 percent).
"I thought Navy got the better of us in the first half; they were bringing the fight to us and winning most of the one-on-one matchups, including the 50/50 ground balls," said Cassese. "I thought we got tougher in the second half, recommitted to the ground ball and tough plays between the restraining lines, and it helped us go on a big run in the third quarter."
Tied 1-1 late in the first quarter, Lehigh got goals from Cintron and Spence in the final 1:18 of the stanza to take a 3-1 lead after one quarter of play.
The Midshipmen scored four straight to begin the second and take a 5-3 lead, but a big man-up goal from Fitzpatrick pulled Lehigh within 5-4 at the half.
Navy increased its lead back to two at 6-4, but a Tumminello goal from Rai at the 9:20 mark was the beginning of a big run as Lehigh would score six straight goals and 10 of the next 11. The run featured a little bit of everything – including tic-tac-toe passing, taking advantage of transition opportunities and an extra-man goal.
Defense to offense led to a Schelling goal and a 6-6 deadlock with exactly seven minutes on the third-quarter clock.
Then, Spence's highlight-reel gave Lehigh a 7-6 lead at the 5:20 mark before Tumminello gave the Mountain Hawks an 8-6 advantage with 3:40 remaining in the third.
Eventually, the 10-1 run ended with two Lehigh goals in the span of seven seconds, first from junior Ryan Klose man-up, then Spence from Rai off the ensuing faceoff to give Lehigh a 14-7 lead at the 6:08 mark.
The day was capped off by Gaffney scoring his first-career goal in the final minute to account for the 15-8 final.
For the game, the Mids held a 44-42 edge in shots while Lehigh finished with a 36-22 advantage in groundballs. Lehigh was 2-of-2 on the extra man while Navy was 1-of-3.
Lehigh returns home next Saturday to host Boston University in another big Patriot League contest. Gametime is set for 2 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
With the win, the Mountain Hawks improve to 6-3. They are 4-0 in Patriot League play for a second straight season. Lehigh's five-game winning streak is the program's longest since 2013.
"Once again, I was proud of the effort and resilience our team displayed today," said Cassese. "Adversity, mainly by way of injury, continues to hit us and we continue to adapt and overcome. It's a testament to my assistant coaches, our captains and our upperclassmen."
Senior Lucas Spence led the offense with six points behind four goals and two assists. Since his return to the lineup earlier this month, Spence has 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) in five games, scoring multiple goals in all five contests, including four hat tricks. Included for Spence was one of the goals of the year, not only for Lehigh, but arguably all of NCAA Lacrosse.
What. A. Goal! It's so good, we needed to include the replay. Lucas Spence FLIES through the air to give Lehigh a lead at Navy. #PLTop3 #SCTop10
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/itWfhnXnih
Senior Tristan Rai added four points via two goals and two assists while classmates Mickey Fitzpatrick and Alexander Tumminello each had two goals apiece. Freshman Tommy Schelling posted a career-high three points (two goals, one assist). Junior Crew Cintron tied a career high with two points (one goal, one assist). Senior Craig Chick helped lead the defense with three groundballs and a caused turnover. Tumminello and junior Erik DiGirolamo each caused a turnover as well. Sophomore Matt Douglas collected a career-high eight groundballs.
Junior Conor Gaffney finished 17-of-26 facing off. After winning just 5-of-10 in the second half, he won 12-of-16 in the second, putting together another spectacular performance. Sophomore James Spence was stellar in goal, making a career-high tying 17 saves for the second time in the last three games. During Lehigh's five-game winning streak, Spence has stopped 62-of-101 shots sent his way (61.4 percent).
"I thought Navy got the better of us in the first half; they were bringing the fight to us and winning most of the one-on-one matchups, including the 50/50 ground balls," said Cassese. "I thought we got tougher in the second half, recommitted to the ground ball and tough plays between the restraining lines, and it helped us go on a big run in the third quarter."
Tied 1-1 late in the first quarter, Lehigh got goals from Cintron and Spence in the final 1:18 of the stanza to take a 3-1 lead after one quarter of play.
The Midshipmen scored four straight to begin the second and take a 5-3 lead, but a big man-up goal from Fitzpatrick pulled Lehigh within 5-4 at the half.
Navy increased its lead back to two at 6-4, but a Tumminello goal from Rai at the 9:20 mark was the beginning of a big run as Lehigh would score six straight goals and 10 of the next 11. The run featured a little bit of everything – including tic-tac-toe passing, taking advantage of transition opportunities and an extra-man goal.
Defense to offense led to a Schelling goal and a 6-6 deadlock with exactly seven minutes on the third-quarter clock.
From defense to offense! This Schelling transition goal pulls us even at six midway through the third quarter.
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/WiMWYtVx3G
Then, Spence's highlight-reel gave Lehigh a 7-6 lead at the 5:20 mark before Tumminello gave the Mountain Hawks an 8-6 advantage with 3:40 remaining in the third.
How did he hold on?! Tumminello fights through multiple Navy players and scores to give Lehigh a two-goal advantage.
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/wP7zGGKxMy
Eventually, the 10-1 run ended with two Lehigh goals in the span of seven seconds, first from junior Ryan Klose man-up, then Spence from Rai off the ensuing faceoff to give Lehigh a 14-7 lead at the 6:08 mark.
Seven seconds later, Gaffney to Rai (behind the back) to Lucas Spence for his fourth. Mountain Hawks blowing this one open.
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/LBG272V7Mq
The day was capped off by Gaffney scoring his first-career goal in the final minute to account for the 15-8 final.
What a way to cap off the day, Conor Gaffney's first-carer goal!
— Lehigh Lacrosse (@LehighLacrosse) March 23, 2019
Watch: https://t.co/lniVr18ACD. pic.twitter.com/WbOzMUPuFW
For the game, the Mids held a 44-42 edge in shots while Lehigh finished with a 36-22 advantage in groundballs. Lehigh was 2-of-2 on the extra man while Navy was 1-of-3.
Lehigh returns home next Saturday to host Boston University in another big Patriot League contest. Gametime is set for 2 p.m.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Team Stats
LEHIGH
NAVY
Shots
42
44
Turnovers
17
11
Caused Turnovers
3
5
Faceoffs Won
17
9
Extra-Man Opps
2
3
Ground Balls
36
22
Game Leaders
G
4
A
2
FO
-
Pen
1-60
GB
4
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
1
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
1
CT
1
Players Mentioned
D/LSM
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
M
/ Men's Lacrosse
D
/ Men's LacrosseM
/ Men's Lacrosse
M/FO
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's LacrosseA
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's LacrosseA
/ Men's LacrosseM
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