Stevenson Dumps Salisbury; Punches Ticket
from press release
SALISBURY, Md. - For the first time in the 16-year history
of the CAC Men's Lacrosse Championship, there is a new champion as
eight different players scored and senior Geoff Hebert
(Lutherville/Dulaney) totaled 13 saves as No. 3 Stevenson posted a
10-6 victory over No. 1-ranked and undefeated Salisbury Saturday at
Sea Gull Stadium.
The third time proved to be the charm as the Mustangs (16-1) had
lost the last two-straight CAC championship games against the Sea
Gulls in 2008 and 2009.
Stevenson has also won three of the last five meetings with
Salisbury, including the last two at Sea Gull Stadium after the
team snapped the Sea Gulls' 105-game CAC unbeaten streak with a
12-8 victory on Apr. 4, 2009.
Hebert totaled seven of his 13 saves in the second half while the
Mustang offense outscored Salisbury 6-2, including the final four
goals of the game to break open a 6-6 tie.
All six goals came from different players, including back-to-back
tallies on a laser by junior Kyle Moffitt (Harrisburg, Pa./Central
Dauphin East) and a behind-the-back goal from junior Richie Ford
(Baltimore/Towson) just 53 seconds apart to start the four-goal
run.
Junior Kenny Whittaker (Baltimore/Curley) added an empty net goal
with 3:00 remaining as Sea Gull keeper Johnny Rodriguez was out
applying defensive pressure.
Junior Ray Witte (Annapolis/St. Peter and Paul) provided an
insurance goal a mere seven seconds later after winning the
face-off and running down uncontested and beating Rodriguez for his
eighth goal of the season.
After being outshot 15-7 in the first quarter and falling behind
2-1, the Mustangs held a 33-25 edge the rest of the way.
Hebert, who had five saves in the opening quarter, led a defensive
effort that forced 21 turnovers. Junior Evan Douglass (Exeter,
N.H./Exeter) totaled a career-high seven caused turnovers and
picked up four ground balls while senior Mike Gustowarow
(Annapolis/DeMatha) added two ground balls and two caused
turnovers.
Dailey, Ford and junior Neal Barthelme (Towson/Dulaney) each had
two points with Ford and Barthelme finding the back of the net
twice.
Saturday's championship marks the first in any sport for Stevenson
since the school joined the CAC in all sports beginning with the
2007-08 academic year. The lacrosse teams have been a member since
the 2007 season.
Matt Cannone and Mike Von Kamecke had three points apiece for the
Sea Gulls (17-1) who suffered just their fourth loss in the last
102 games at home dating back to the 2003 season with two of those
losses coming to Stevenson.
Johnny Rodriquez finished with 16 saves for Salisbury.
Stevenson returns to action next Saturday, May 1 when it hosts
15th-ranked Denison at Caves Athletics Complex on Senior Day.
