SCRANTON, PA (March 1, 2023) -- Senior Mitchell Kozak (Floral Park, N.Y. / Floral Park Memorial) recorded a career-high nine points on four goals and five assists to lead The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team to a 19-13 win in a highly competitive non-conference game against Stockton University on Wednesday afternoon at Weiss Field.

With the win, the Royals move to 2-1 on the season. 

Kozak got the Royals on the board in the first minute of action as he found the back of the net off an assist from fellow senior Matt Solleder (Ramsey, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep) to give Scranton an early 1-0 lead. Stockton then responded with a pair of goals in the following four minutes to take a 2-1 lead over the Royals. Scranton closed out the opening period strong with a pair of goals, including a last minute goal from Kozak to regain a one goal lead headed into the second quarter. 

The Ospreys got off the a hot start to begin the second period, as they scored three consectutive goals to take a 5-3 lead. The Royals dominated the final 10 minutes of the first half, outscoring Stockton 6-1 to take a 9-6 lead into halftime. Junior Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y. / Manhasset) score three goals in the second period alone for Scranton. 

Junior Joe Boyle (Huntington, N.Y. / St. Anthony's) got the Royals started with an early goal in the third period to extend Scranton's lead to four goals. The Royals went on to control the third quarter as well, as they outscored Stockton 5-1 and held a 15-7 lead with one period remaining. 

The Ospreys made a late fourth quarter run but it was too late as the Royals went on to secure a well-earned 19-13 win. 

McAree led all scorers with five goals on the day, while freshmen Pat McCormack (Livingston, N.J. / Livingston) and Kyle Holmes (Bridgewater, N.J. / Bridgewater-Raritan) each scored their first career goals in the win for Scranton. 

Senior captain Christopher Crapanzano (Basking Ridge, N.J. / Ridge) went 16-28 on faceoffs and added 11 ground balls and a pair of goals for Scranton. Sophomore goalkeeper Evan Rosa (Weehawken, N.J. / Pennington School) made 13 saves and recorded nine ground balls in his second consecutive win for the Royals. 

The men's lacrosse team returns to action this Saturday when they host Cortland at Weiss Field at 12:00 PM.

--ROYALS--