Saturday, March 11
Worcester, Mass.
2 PM
Lehigh University
5-1 2-0
18
at
11
Holy Cross
0-7 0-2
1
2
3
4
F
Lehigh
5
3
4
6
18
Holy Cross
3
2
3
3
11
Photo by: Matt Smith
Strong Second Half Lifts the Mountain Hawks to Win Over Holy Cross
3/11/2023 5:34:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
WORCESTER, Mass. - Lehigh men's lacrosse's high-octane offense led the Mountain Hawks to an 18-11 win over Holy Cross Saturday afternoon at Kuzniewski Field.
"I am extremely proud of the team today, said head coach Kevin Cassese. "There were opportunities in the last 48-72 hours to lean into some excuses… A quick turnaround from a mid-week 1-goal game. Long travel to Worcester, MA. Bad weather. Holy Cross being a challenging place to play… and I thought we were able to stay focused and be resilient when it mattered today. The word that comes to mind is workmanlike."Â
The Mountain Hawks captured their third straight win and second Patriot League win of the season to improve to 5-1 overall. The Crusaders remain winless at 0-7 on the season.
"We are happy to have 5 wins and to be 2-0 in the Patriot League heading into spring break," Cassese said. "We are happy with where we are, but by no means are we content. There is more to do and we have a lot of meat left on the bone."
Just like last game against Binghamton, Lehigh got off to a fast start. Grant Rodny struck first for Lehigh, and Justin Tiernan scored a goal with 7:53 left in the first quarter to put Lehigh up 5-1. Holy Cross went on a 4-0 run right after that. Thomas McIntire scored three of those five goals for the Crusaders. McIntire finished with six points for Holy Cross.
The Mountain Hawks would score the last three goals of the first half to take an 8-5 lead at halftime.Â
Despite Holy Cross scoring the first goal of the second half to cut the deficit to two, Lehigh went on a 4-0 run. The Mountain Hawks' offense was clicking all over in the second half. They outscored Holy Cross 10-5 after halftime. Six of those 10 goals were scored in the fourth quarter.Â
Justin Tiernan led the way on Saturday with five goals, which tied a career-high for the senior. Scott Cole also finished with five points (3A, 2G). Christian Mule' scored four points (2G, 2A). Mule' is closing on 100 goals, needing just four more goals after Saturday's game.
Senior Caleb Creasor started the game in net for Lehigh, but Nick Pecora came in in the middle of the first quarter. Pecora recorded nine saves.
The Mountain Hawks held a 47-26 advantage in shots. 34 of those 47 shots were on goal. Holy Cross' Dawson Friers saved 16 shots.
Mike Sisselberger had an excellent day at the "X", going 18-of-28. Sean Dow also came in for four faceoffs Saturday, and won all four.
The Crusaders won the ground ball battle, holding a 21-19 advantage.
Lehigh forced 18 turnovers on Saturday. Richard Checo tallied a game-high of three caused turnovers. Â
The Mountain Hawks return home to Frank Banko Field to host Army West Point with gametime set for noon.Â
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
"I am extremely proud of the team today, said head coach Kevin Cassese. "There were opportunities in the last 48-72 hours to lean into some excuses… A quick turnaround from a mid-week 1-goal game. Long travel to Worcester, MA. Bad weather. Holy Cross being a challenging place to play… and I thought we were able to stay focused and be resilient when it mattered today. The word that comes to mind is workmanlike."Â
The Mountain Hawks captured their third straight win and second Patriot League win of the season to improve to 5-1 overall. The Crusaders remain winless at 0-7 on the season.
"We are happy to have 5 wins and to be 2-0 in the Patriot League heading into spring break," Cassese said. "We are happy with where we are, but by no means are we content. There is more to do and we have a lot of meat left on the bone."
Just like last game against Binghamton, Lehigh got off to a fast start. Grant Rodny struck first for Lehigh, and Justin Tiernan scored a goal with 7:53 left in the first quarter to put Lehigh up 5-1. Holy Cross went on a 4-0 run right after that. Thomas McIntire scored three of those five goals for the Crusaders. McIntire finished with six points for Holy Cross.
The Mountain Hawks would score the last three goals of the first half to take an 8-5 lead at halftime.Â
Despite Holy Cross scoring the first goal of the second half to cut the deficit to two, Lehigh went on a 4-0 run. The Mountain Hawks' offense was clicking all over in the second half. They outscored Holy Cross 10-5 after halftime. Six of those 10 goals were scored in the fourth quarter.Â
Justin Tiernan led the way on Saturday with five goals, which tied a career-high for the senior. Scott Cole also finished with five points (3A, 2G). Christian Mule' scored four points (2G, 2A). Mule' is closing on 100 goals, needing just four more goals after Saturday's game.
Senior Caleb Creasor started the game in net for Lehigh, but Nick Pecora came in in the middle of the first quarter. Pecora recorded nine saves.
The Mountain Hawks held a 47-26 advantage in shots. 34 of those 47 shots were on goal. Holy Cross' Dawson Friers saved 16 shots.
Mike Sisselberger had an excellent day at the "X", going 18-of-28. Sean Dow also came in for four faceoffs Saturday, and won all four.
The Crusaders won the ground ball battle, holding a 21-19 advantage.
Lehigh forced 18 turnovers on Saturday. Richard Checo tallied a game-high of three caused turnovers. Â
The Mountain Hawks return home to Frank Banko Field to host Army West Point with gametime set for noon.Â
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Team Stats
LEHIGH
CHC23
Shots
47
29
Turnovers
15
18
Caused Turnovers
7
5
Faceoffs Won
24
9
Extra-Man Opps
2
4
Ground Balls
41
29
Game Leaders
G
5
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
G
3
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
3
CT
1
G
2
A
3
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
2
CT
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's LacrosseA/M
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
G
/ Men's Lacrosse
A
/ Men's Lacrosse
FO/M
/ Men's LacrosseA
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