Box score
CENTER VALLEY – Senior goalkeeper Nicholas McKaba (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris) made seven saves and freshman attackman Matt Haemmerle (Hillsdale, N.J./Bergen Catholic) scored twice as The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team edged DeSales, 7-6, on Wednesday afternoon.
The Royals (2-1) led 4-1 at halftime, but DeSales (0-2) scored four straight goals in the opening 4:26 of the third period to take a 5-4 lead. Haemmerle responded with his second goal of the game to knot the score at the 7:10 mark, and senior midfielder John Sheridan (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) scored with 10 seconds left in the period for a 6-5 lead.
Junior attackman Jake Haimson (Montville, N.J./Montville) doubled the Royals' lead with 9:20 left in the game. DeSales pulled within one with 3:29 to play, but the Scranton defense remained stout to close out the victory.
McKaba made a save in the first period and two in each of the other three for his second win of the season. He has now had at least seven saves in each of the first three games this season.
Scranton also received first-half goals from senior attackman Andrew Marone (Morristown, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and senior midfielder's Nicholas Swift (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth-Whitemarsh) and Brad Elkin (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep). Sophomore attackman Timothy Ahern (Manhasset, N.Y./St. Anthony's) added an assist.
McKaba, Sheridan and sophomore midfielders Adam Drury (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) and Conor Carey (Long Beach, N.Y./Chaminade) each had three ground balls in the win. The Royals were outshot, 27-25, and committed 18 turnovers to just 13 for DeSales. But Scranton was successful on 15 of 16 clear attempts in the win.
The Royals will be back in action on Friday when they host SUNY-Potsdam at 5:30 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.
--ROYALS--
