PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – Senior Matthew McAree (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset) broke the program's all-time goals record, but the University of Scranton men's lacrosse team (2-6) dropped a tough 16-12 decision to the Trinity (Conn.) Bantams (2-3) in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon on the campus of Saint Joe's Long Island University in Patchogue.
McAree's record-breaking goal came with 2:01 to play in the fourth quarter and was the 115th of his career, surpassing the previous record of 114 that was held by Jim O'Hara (1989-92).
Trinity scored the first two goals of the game, but the Royals quickly answered as McAree and sophomore Pat McCormack (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) tallied goals just 1:04 apart to tie the game at two apiece in the early stages. The Bantams then scored the next two to take a 4-2 lead before Scranton once again fought back with goals from McAree and freshman Myles McCutcheon (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) that tied the game at four apiece. Trinity regained a 5-4 edge with a goal in the final minute of the period. That goal marked the beginning of a stretch where Trinity scored six of seven goals in the game and were able to take a 10-5 lead into the locker room.
McCutcheon opened the scoring just 0:44 into the third quarter off a feed from McAree to begin a three-goal run for the Royals and the freshman completed the hat trick with 9:15 to play in the period that cut the deficit to two at 10-8. Trinity's Jay Ottomanelli scored the next two goals of the game, but Scranton had a response as senior Alex Eglitis (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) and sophomore Kyle Holmes (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) struck to once again make it a two-goal game at 12-10. From there, the Bantams scored three of the next four goals to take a 15-11 lead and were able to hold on for the victory.
McAree led the Royals with five points on four goals and an assist, while McCutcheon added his first career hat trick. Eglitis added two goals, an assist, three ground balls and a caused turnover on the day.
Senior Seamus O'Callaghan (Bethpage, N.Y./Chaminade) collected a team-high five ground balls for Scranton.
Ottomanelli led Trinity with four goals and Bo Page added five points on two goals and three assists.
The Royals return to action next Saturday, Mar. 23 for the Landmark Conference opener at Juniata at 1 p.m.
--ROYALS--
