Virginia Opens Season with 13-7 Win Over Drexel
from press release
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. —Senior Garrett
Billings tied his career high with five goals to lead Virginia to a
13-7 season-opening win over Drexel before a crowd of 2347 fans on
a gloriously sunny afternoon at Klöckner Stadium. The
Cavaliers’ win is their second in a row over Drexel after
getting upset in the season opener two years ago in
Charlottesville.
Virginia dominated from the start and pounded Drexel goalie Mark
Manos, making his collegiate debut, with 30 shots in the first
half. Six different players scored as Virginia built a 7-0 lead
after 22 minutes of play. Midfielder Brian Carroll opened the
scoring by taking a pass in front from freshman Steele Stanwick and
beating Manos for the goal. Stanwick’s assist came on the
first offensive touch of his career.
Shamel Bratton scored from 12 yards a short time later and Danny
Glading closed the first quarter scoring with a nifty dodge from X
that beat Manos and gave the Cavaliers a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes
of action.
The onslaught continued with quick goals by Stanwick and Gavin Gill
early in the second quarter. Billings scored back-to-back goals six
seconds apart as Virginia’s lead grew to 7-0 at the 8:27 mark
of the second quarter. His second goal came on a fastbreak feed
from faceoff man Chad Gaudet, a Dartmouth transfer using his final
year of eligibility with the Cavaliers. For the game Gaudet won 12
of 21 faceoffs and finished with a game-high eight ground
balls.
Sophomore midfielder Kevin Stockel scored Drexel’s first goal
with three minutes and 47 seconds left in the half as Virginia held
a 7-1 lead at the break. With Virginia maintaining a huge advantage
in possession time Drexel was able to take just five shots in the
first half.
“I never thought we gave the play away,” said Virginia
head coach Dom Starsia about his team’s performance after
building the early bulge. “I thought our discipline broke
down a little bit. I thought we took some fouls we didn’t
need to. At the end of the day we might have rushed a couple of
shots, but I thought that we were always carrying the
play.”
Stockel scored in the opening minute of the second half and was
followed a short time later by Scott Perri’s goal as the
Dragons drew within four at 7-3 but were unable to get any
closer.
“That’s a good offensive lacrosse team,” Starsia
said regarding Drexel’s ability to score.
“They’ve got six experienced guys all back there on
offense and given some opportunities they’re going to get a
couple. I assumed they were going to claw back into the game a
little bit. I was pleased that we were able to get goals when we
needed it, and I did feel like we could defend them if we had
to.”
Midfielder George Huguely and Billings answered Drexel’s
goals as the Cavaliers scored five of the next six to extend the
lead to 12-4 in the opening minute of the final quarter. Two of
Drexel’s final three goals were on extra-man as the Cavaliers
were penalized seven times in the game.
Adam Ghitelman returned to the starting line-up in goal and made
six saves before being replaced late by Mark Wade.
Ken Clausen shut down Colin Ambler, Drexel’s leading
returning scorer, limiting him to just one assist and 0-for-3
shooting.
The Cavaliers have a quick turnaround and face Bryant University
Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium. The Bulldogs,
coached by former Duke head coach Mike Pressler, are making their
Division I debut in the game.
Drexel 0-1-3-3—7 record: 0-1
Virginia 3-4-3-3—13 record: 1-0
att—2347
Scoring (G-A)— D: Kevin Stockel 3-0, Kyle Bergman 1-1, Scott
Perri 1-1, Greg Casey 1-0, Dana Wilber 1-0, Colin Ambler 0-1, Adam
Dennis 0-1, Joe Wojciechowski 0-1. V: Garrett Billings 5-2, Steele
Stanwick 2-2, Danny Glading 1-2, Brian Carroll 1-1, George Huguely
1-1, Shamel Bratton 1-0, Steve Giannone 1-0, Gavin Gill 1-0, Chad
Gaudet 0-1.
Goalie Summary—D: Mark Manos 60 mins., 17 saves, 13 goals
allowed. V: Adam Ghitelman 50:35 mins., 6 saves, 5 goals allowed;
Mark Wade 9:03, 1 save, 2 goals allowed; Rob Eimer 0:22, 0 saves, 0
goals allowed.
Shots: D—23, V—59
Ground Balls: D—37, V—43
Clearing: D—19x23, V—19x21
Faceoffs: D—11, V—13
Penalties: D—4-3:30, V—7-5:30
EMO: D—3x5, V—0x3
