TOWSON, Md. - Senior Andrew Marone (Morristown, N.J. / Seton Hall Prep) scored three goals in the first period, as the University of Scranton men's lacrosse team opened a big lead in the first half, then held off late rally by host Goucher to collect a 10-9 victory on the road in Landmark Conference play on Saturday.
With the win, Scranton improved to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in the Landmark Conference, while Goucher fell to 7-4 and 0-3 in the Landmark with the defeat.
The Royals came out fast in the first period, as Marone's hat trick in the first stanza paced Scranton to a 5-1 lead after the first 15 minutes of action.
Marone's first goal came eight seconds into the game, as freshman Matt Haemmerle (Hillsdale, N.J. / Bergen Catholic) was credited with an assist on the first score of the contest.
After Goucher quickly tied the game up at 1-1 with a goal a minute and 20 seconds later, senior Nicholas Swift (Lafayette Hill, Pa. / Plymouth Whitemarsh) gave Scranton the lead back at 2-1 with a score with 11:47 left off an assist from senior Brad Elkin (West Chester, Pa. / Malvern Preparatory).
Scranton then scored the final three goals of the period over the last six minute of action to go up four goals. Marone gave the Royals a 3-1 lead with six minutes left off an assist from sophomore Conor Carey (Long Beach, NY / Chaminade), then scored again 21 seconds later to put Scranton up 4-1.
The final tally of the first period was scored by senior Alec Mikrut (Belle Mead, NJ / Montgomery) off an assist from Swift with 3:56 left, giving Scranton a four goal lead entering the second period.
After Goucher cut the Scranton lead down to 5-2 with 6:52 left in the first half, the Royals went back up four goals with 3:41 left in the period, as junior Jake Haimson (Montville, NJ / Montville) scored off another assist from Swift. Goucher countered that score with a goal with 1:55 left, however, cutting the Royal lead back down to 6-3.
But, the Royals attacked back to end the half strong, scoring two goals with under a minute left to take an 8-3 lead at halftime.
Sophomore Matt Carfaro (Long Valley, NJ / West Morris) scored the first goal with 54 seconds left off an assist from Marone, while Mikrut scored the second goal with 41 seconds remaining off an Haimson assist to put Scranton up five goals at the break.
In the second half, the Royals quickly stretched the lead out to seven goals with back-to-back goals to open the third period.
First, Haemmerle scored off another assist by Marone with 11:53 left to give Scranton a 9-3 lead, then another score by Haimson (off a Mikrut assist) extended the Royals lead out to 10-3 with 10:59 left in the period.
The goal by Haimson proved to be the game-winner for Scranton, as Goucher made a furious comeback over the final quarter and a half, cutting the Scranton lead all the way down to a goal with 31 seconds left in regulation.
After Goucher won the ensuing faceoff, the Gophers had one more chance to tie the game, but their final shot was saved by senior goalie Nicholas McKaba (Long Valley, NJ / West Morris) with nine seconds left, preserving the win for Scranton in the process.
Overall, Goucher outshot the Royals 48-30 in the contest, as McKaba kept the Gopher offense at bay most of the match after making 15 saves on the afternoon. Scranton did hold a 42-36 edge on ground balls and won 18-of-22 faceoffs on the day, as well.
The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team returns to action on Saturday, April 9, as they host Susquehanna at 1 p.m. in another Landmark Conference match-up at Fitzpatrick Field.
--ROYALS--
