Men’s Lacrosse Drops Home Contest to USMMA

Patchogue, NY| Despite taking a one-goal lead into the second half, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's lacrosse team took a 17-14 defeat to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in a Skyline Conference showdown at Danzi Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The loss sees the Golden Eagles slip to 2-3 on the year (0-2 Skyline) as the Mariners improve to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Leading the way for SJC was sophomore Zak Jones, who matched USMMA's Pat Coll with a game-high six goals on seven shots. Senior Casey Hickey and sophomore Chris Nielsen pitched in with two goals apice.

Tallies from Jones and Hickey put the hosts up 2-0 6:23 into the contest, but five-consecutive goals by USMMA ensured the guests took a 5-2 lead with 3:06 to play in the first quarter.

Two late goals in the first cut SJC's deficit to one goal (5-4) but the Mariners tallied the second quarter's first tally to establish a two-goal lead (6-4).

Three-straight goals for SJC, off the sticks of Jones (2) and junior Christian Prate saw the Golden Eagles retake the lead with 3:17 to play in the half. A goal apiece in the final moments before halftime ensured SJC took a one-goal lead (8-7) into the break.

Marks from Nielsen (13:21) and Hickey (9:16) early in the third quarter extended St. Joseph's lead to three goals (10-7), but a crippling 10-1 run by USMMA--that spanned to 4:50 of the fourth quarter--put the Mariners ahead, 17-11.

Jones tallied two more times and sophomore Kyle Levantino capped off the scoring inside the match's final five minutes, but in the end it was a three-goal defeat (17-14) for the hosts.

Starting in goal for St. Joseph's was sophomore Adam Sivon (2-3), who made 14 saves on 31 shots. USMMA's Brendan Kane (6-0) made six saves.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Monday, March 26 when they head up to Purchase, NY to face Manhattanville College for a non-conference contest at 7:00 pm.