Binghamton Beats Marist to Even Record
from press release
VESTAL, N.Y. -- The Binghamton men's lacrosse
team tallied five of the game's first six goals and never looked
back as they registered a 9-5 victory over the visiting Marist Red
Foxes in a non-conference game at the Bearcats Sports Complex
Saturday afternoon. The win marks the first three-game winning
streak for the Bearcats since 2006 as the host squad improved to
3-3 on the year, while Marist dropped to 0-4 on the season.
"Again, the defensive unit gave us another great effort," head
coach Ed Stephenson said. "I still think there are some
improvements we need to make but I'm pleased with the progress
we've made over the last three games."
Sophomore attackman Matt Springer tallied his seventh career hat
trick and third of the season with a four-goal performance to lead
Binghamton offensively. Springer, who raised his season goal total
to 15, extended his consecutive game scoring streak to 20 straight
with a point, dating back to Feb. 20, 2010. He ranks among the
top-16 national leaders for consecutive games with a point.
Corey Zindel and Connor Rice paced the Red Foxes on the attack unit
with three goals and three assists, respectively.
In the pivotal first quarter where the Bearcats forged a 5-1 lead,
five different players reached the scoring column on unassisted
goals. Senior co-captains David Raleigh and Frank Donlon each
netted a goal during that span, while sophomore midfielder Tyler
Perrelle and junior midfielder John Clark added to the lead with
goals of their own. Springer scored one of his game-high four goals
during the first quarter as well.
Freshman attackman Kelly Donigan tacked on his third goal in as
many games late in the fourth quarter.
Binghamton held a modest 34-32 shot advantage and split the
face-offs with Marist as both squads were 9-of-18. Neither team
successfully converted a man-up opportunity as BU went 0-3,
compared to only one failed attempt by the Red Foxes.
Sophomore Kraig Heston picked up his third consecutive win in cage
as he tallied a career-best 15 saves and surrendered only five
goals for the second straight contest.
The Bearcats received key contributions from its defensive unit,
which forced 20+ turnovers for the second time this week. Junior
Ben Waldron notched a career-high five caused turnovers along with
five ground balls. Classmate Chris Cook led the team with eight
ground balls, aided by a 9-for-18 mark at the face-off X.
Donlon opened the early scoring parade for Binghamton with an
unassisted goal at the 12:05 mark. Perrelle and Springer added
scores in a span of 36 seconds to push BU's lead to 3-0 at the 7:24
mark. On the ensuing face-off win by Marist, Corey Zindel notched a
score eight seconds later to pull the Red Foxes within 3-1. Nearly
six minutes later, a nearly motionless Raleigh took his defender by
surprise and rifled a low line-drive past the goalie for an
unassisted score. Clark answered 15 seconds later after a face-off
win and the Bearcats took a 5-1 lead into the second quarter.
Binghamton's final four goals were all assisted. Springer rattled
off the team's next three goals coming off feeds from junior Ryan
Button, Waldron and Perrelle. Following a Marist turnover at
midfield, Waldron outletted the ball as soon as the whistle sounded
to an open Springer who converted an empty-net goal from outside
the attack zone. Marist goalie Brendan Price was up the field
assisting with the clear attempt at the time.
Binghamton begins a three-game, three-week road stretch starting
with Colgate on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
