Friday, April 26
Worcester, Mass.
7 p.m.
Lehigh University
at
Holy Cross
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks wrap up regular season with meaningful game at Holy Cross
4/23/2019 9:37:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In the midst of a tough stretch – losing three of its last four – the Lehigh men's lacrosse team looks to get back on track, and put itself in a strong position for the upcoming Patriot League Tournament, when it travels to Holy Cross for the regular season finale on Friday night. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. on the Patriot League Network. Despite the tough stretch, a win on Friday would likely clinch the Mountain Hawks the No. 2 seed and an all-important bye into the semifinals of the league tournament (although there is one scenario that even with a win, Lehigh would be the No. 3 seed).
Lehigh's season has been up and down, beginning with a 1-3 February before going 6-0 in March, but then 1-3 in April. The Mountain Hawks did lose three straight last April, but rebounded to win two Patriot League Tournament games and advance to the championship contest. Friday's game at Holy Cross will feature plenty at stake for the postseason. The Crusaders likely need to win to reach the field of six, while the Mountain Hawks can still finish second or third (which would mean hosting a Patriot League Quarterfinal contest next Tuesday). If Lehigh loses Friday, it would still clinch the No. 2 seed if Boston University also loses at Navy.
Last time out, the Mountain Hawks fell into a 5-1 first-quarter hole vs. Bucknell, bouncing back to tie the score at six, nine and 10, but could never take the lead. The Bison scored the game's final two goals for the 12-10 win. Offensively, senior Mickey Fitzpatrick was the story, posting six points (three goals, three assists) on his Senior Day to double his previous career high. Other seniors Lucas Spence (one goal, three assists) and Alexander Tumminello (two goals) also made significant offensive impacts, as all six of Lehigh's starting attackmen and midfielders scored at least one goal.
Senior Craig Chick led the defense, causing a season-high six turnovers. That gave him 150 in his career, within one of second place in NCAA history and eight from tying for first. Sophomore Teddy Leggett was tremendous as well, collected a career-high 11 groundballs - many coming off faceoffs. Despite junior Conor Gaffney struggling a bit early (especially by his standards), he won 17-of-25 for the day with three groundballs, including 13 of his last 17 following a 4-of-8 first quarter.
On Saturday, Gaffney broke the program record for groundballs in a season (now 119) and career (now 316). Gaffney broke the marks set by Ryan Snyder '13 – 118 and 313, respectively. Gaffney also moved from ninth in Patriot League history for faceoff wins in a season all the way to fifth (currently 202). Gaffney's season percentage is 69.7, which would be a Patriot League record if the season ended today.
Friday features a big-time matchup in the faceoff circle, with Gaffney No. 3 nationally (69.7) and Holy Cross' Dan O'Connell (66.9) standing No. 5. With a win on Friday, the Mountain Hawks would earn their highest seed in the Patriot League Tournament since 2013, when they were the No. 1 seed. Lehigh was the No. 2 seed the year prior in 2012, which was the Mountain Hawks pick up a thrilling 16-14 win at top-seeded Colgate in the Patriot League Championship Game. If Lehigh doesn't earn the No. 2 seed and the bye, the Mountain Hawks would be home for the Patriot League Quarterfinals for a second straight season.
Holy Cross has enjoyed success this season, standing 6-6 overall and 3-4 in league play. The Crusaders snapped a three-game losing streak with four straight wins – beating Brown (11-10), Navy (12-9), Lafayette (16-4) and Colgate (11-5) – before dropping a 15-11 final at Boston University last time out. Three Crusaders own 30+ points to lead the offense, led by 38 from Sean Mullaney (27 goals, 11 assists) while Kevin Kodzis owns 32 (21 goals, 11 assists) and Justin Lynskey has 31 (19 goals, 12 assists). O'Connell leads Holy Cross in groundballs (97) while winning 67.3 percent of his draws (171-of-254) - good for fifth nationally. Matt Farrell leads the Crusaders in caused turnovers (32), with his 2.33 caused turnovers per contest No. 3 nationally. Jonathan Tesoro has started all 12 games in goal, tallying a 9.67 goals against average and 50.4 save percentage.
Lehigh rebounded from its first-ever defeat vs. Holy Cross in 2017 by beating the Crusaders 15-4 last season. Spence led the way with a career-high six goals in the victory. Two years ago, the Crusaders downed the Mountain Hawks, 14-8 despite seven points from Andrew Pettit. The teams first met in 1991, a 14-7 Lehigh victory.
Following Friday's game, the Mountain Hawks begin the Patriot League Tournament next week, either hosting the quarterfinals on Tuesday or earning a bye into the semifinals on Friday.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Lehigh's season has been up and down, beginning with a 1-3 February before going 6-0 in March, but then 1-3 in April. The Mountain Hawks did lose three straight last April, but rebounded to win two Patriot League Tournament games and advance to the championship contest. Friday's game at Holy Cross will feature plenty at stake for the postseason. The Crusaders likely need to win to reach the field of six, while the Mountain Hawks can still finish second or third (which would mean hosting a Patriot League Quarterfinal contest next Tuesday). If Lehigh loses Friday, it would still clinch the No. 2 seed if Boston University also loses at Navy.
Last time out, the Mountain Hawks fell into a 5-1 first-quarter hole vs. Bucknell, bouncing back to tie the score at six, nine and 10, but could never take the lead. The Bison scored the game's final two goals for the 12-10 win. Offensively, senior Mickey Fitzpatrick was the story, posting six points (three goals, three assists) on his Senior Day to double his previous career high. Other seniors Lucas Spence (one goal, three assists) and Alexander Tumminello (two goals) also made significant offensive impacts, as all six of Lehigh's starting attackmen and midfielders scored at least one goal.
Senior Craig Chick led the defense, causing a season-high six turnovers. That gave him 150 in his career, within one of second place in NCAA history and eight from tying for first. Sophomore Teddy Leggett was tremendous as well, collected a career-high 11 groundballs - many coming off faceoffs. Despite junior Conor Gaffney struggling a bit early (especially by his standards), he won 17-of-25 for the day with three groundballs, including 13 of his last 17 following a 4-of-8 first quarter.
On Saturday, Gaffney broke the program record for groundballs in a season (now 119) and career (now 316). Gaffney broke the marks set by Ryan Snyder '13 – 118 and 313, respectively. Gaffney also moved from ninth in Patriot League history for faceoff wins in a season all the way to fifth (currently 202). Gaffney's season percentage is 69.7, which would be a Patriot League record if the season ended today.
Friday features a big-time matchup in the faceoff circle, with Gaffney No. 3 nationally (69.7) and Holy Cross' Dan O'Connell (66.9) standing No. 5. With a win on Friday, the Mountain Hawks would earn their highest seed in the Patriot League Tournament since 2013, when they were the No. 1 seed. Lehigh was the No. 2 seed the year prior in 2012, which was the Mountain Hawks pick up a thrilling 16-14 win at top-seeded Colgate in the Patriot League Championship Game. If Lehigh doesn't earn the No. 2 seed and the bye, the Mountain Hawks would be home for the Patriot League Quarterfinals for a second straight season.
Holy Cross has enjoyed success this season, standing 6-6 overall and 3-4 in league play. The Crusaders snapped a three-game losing streak with four straight wins – beating Brown (11-10), Navy (12-9), Lafayette (16-4) and Colgate (11-5) – before dropping a 15-11 final at Boston University last time out. Three Crusaders own 30+ points to lead the offense, led by 38 from Sean Mullaney (27 goals, 11 assists) while Kevin Kodzis owns 32 (21 goals, 11 assists) and Justin Lynskey has 31 (19 goals, 12 assists). O'Connell leads Holy Cross in groundballs (97) while winning 67.3 percent of his draws (171-of-254) - good for fifth nationally. Matt Farrell leads the Crusaders in caused turnovers (32), with his 2.33 caused turnovers per contest No. 3 nationally. Jonathan Tesoro has started all 12 games in goal, tallying a 9.67 goals against average and 50.4 save percentage.
Lehigh rebounded from its first-ever defeat vs. Holy Cross in 2017 by beating the Crusaders 15-4 last season. Spence led the way with a career-high six goals in the victory. Two years ago, the Crusaders downed the Mountain Hawks, 14-8 despite seven points from Andrew Pettit. The teams first met in 1991, a 14-7 Lehigh victory.
Following Friday's game, the Mountain Hawks begin the Patriot League Tournament next week, either hosting the quarterfinals on Tuesday or earning a bye into the semifinals on Friday.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Players Mentioned
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M/FO
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LSM/D
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