Stevenson Roanoke Clash Again Wednesday
from press release
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - After two of the nation's top men's
lacrosse teams hadn't met on the field since 2001, they will do so
for the second time this season as No. 1 Stevenson welcomes No. 5
Roanoke to Caves Athletics Complex in the quarterfinals of the NCAA
Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
The Mustangs (18-1), who have won eight-straight and looking for
their second-straight appearance in the national semifinals,
defeated the Maroons at Caves Athletics Complex back on March 27,
18-9.
Junior Kyle Moffitt (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) totaled
six points on six goals, both career-highs, while junior Richie
Ford (Baltimore/Towson) added four goals to become the school's
all-time goals leader passing Eric Schmith.
Moffitt and Ford combined to outscore Roanoke by one and after the
Maroons scored first just 49 seconds into the game, the Mustangs
scored the next seven goals, including two each from Moffitt and
Ford, to take a 7-1 lead after the first quarter.
Ashton Hotchkiss and Trey Keeley each finished with three points
for Roanoke. After Pat March scored to start the second half and
pull the Maroons within two at 9-7 with 12:21 remaining in the
third quarter, Stevenson scored nine of the game's final 11 goals
to even the all-time series at one game apiece.
The Mustangs limited Roanoke's top four scorers to just four goals
while holding its leading scorer, Matt Quinton, scoreless.
Meanwhile, Stevenson's four leading scorers combined for 14 of the
team's 18 goals. In addition to Moffitt and Ford, junior Jimmy
Dailey (Westminster/Winters Mill) had two goals and three assists
while senior Steve Kazimer (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger) added two
goals and
two assists.
Also of note from the first meeting was the absence of Mustang
senior goalie Geoff Hebert (Lutherville/Dulaney) who suffered a
broken hand in the team's 12-9 win at No. 18 Lynchburg just two
games prior. Filling in for Hebert, senior Andrew Harrington
(Cambridge/South Dorchester) made a then-career-high eight saves in
just his second career start.
Hebert boasts a 28-2 record as a starter, including a 3-1 mark in
the NCAA championship and is coming off a career-high 22 saves in
the team's 19-9 victory over No. 8 Cabrini on Saturday.
Stevenson is making its second appearance in the NCAA Division III
Men's Lacrosse Championship compared to the 22nd for Roanoke. The
Mustangs are 3-1 in the NCAA championship with all four games
coming at Caves Athletics Complex while the Maroons are 16-15 in
the Division III era.
Both teams have won 35 games over the last two seasons with
Stevenson boasting a 35-3 record, including a mark of 20-3 at Caves
Athletics Complex. Roanoke is 35-4 and 10-1 on the road.
The Maroons (18-2), who have won 16 ODAC championships and three of
the last five, are looking for their first win against a team
ranked at No. 1 as they are 0-6 heading into Wednesday's game.
Roanoke has won 10-straight since losing at Stevenson on March 27
with three of those wins coming against nationally-ranked
teams.
Wednesday's game will feature two of the nation's top three scoring
offenses as Roanoke comes in at No. 2 while also leading Division
III in scoring margin and points per game. The Mustangs are fourth
in scoring margin and third in points per game.
Despite converting just 2-of-9 opportunities with a man advantage
in the first meeting, the Maroons are eighth in the nation in
man-up offense. The Mustangs are ranked 105th in man-down
defense.
Another key statistic will be face-offs. Stevenson won 20-of-31
face-offs earlier this season, led by junior Ray Witte
(Annapolis/St. Peter and Paul) who won 19-of-29 and is ranked 12th
in Division III with a 63.9 face-off win percentage.
Witte will be matched up against with Roanoke's Justin Tuma who is
ranked 11th at 65.9 percent. Tuma was 4-of-9 in the first
meeting.
With 144 ground balls, Witte is just three shy of setting a new
single season school record and only 28 wins shy of breaking the
school's career record for face-off wins held by current assistant
coach Greg Furshman '09.
