LYCOMING MEN’S LACROSSE DOMINANT IN QUARTERFINALS OF MAC PLAYOFFS

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Lycoming College men’s lacrosse team hosted Drew University for the second time in three days – this time with the winner advancing to the semifinals of the Middle Atlantic Conference playoffs. The Warriors wasted little time determining the outcome, racing out to a 7-0 lead after the first quarter en route to a comfortable 16-5 victory. Lycoming improves to 10-5 overall with the win and will travel to Widener University on Thursday, May 5, for a 4 p.m. start to the semifinal match. The Rangers fall to 6-9 overall and are eliminated from the playoffs.

Dave Kirschner (Sr./Newtown Square, Pa.; Marple Newtown) and James Cusick (Fr./Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) got things started for the Warriors, teaming up for the game’s first two scores. Kirschner claimed both goals off assists from Cusick. Chris McQuade (Sr./Lower Gwynedd, Pa.; Wissahickon) added two goals of his own in a span of 58 seconds – both unassisted. Cusick found Tyler Fitzgibbons (Sr./Doylestown, Pa.; Archbishop Wood) with 6:31 to play in the first period to give Lycoming a 5-0 lead. Kirchner made it 6-0 just 55 seconds later off another assist by Cusick, and Thomas Nairn (So./Fairport, N.Y.; Fairport) added one more goal before the end of the period off an assist from Daniel Conkright (Fr./Spring City, Pa.; Owen J. Roberts).

The Warriors scored twice more to start the second period before Tom Stitt finally broke through for Drew. Gil Arbitsman assisted on the goal. The Rangers scored their second goal in the third period, but trailed the Warriors 15-2 with 15 minutes to play. Drew outscored the Lycoming 3-1 in the fourth quarter to set the final at 16-5.

Cusick led all players with four goals and five assists in the contest. Kirschner also scored four times and added two assists. McQuade and Nairn each tallied three goals. Nairn also claimed an assist. Fitzgibbons and Andrew Reckley (So./Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) accounted for the Warriors’ other two goals, while Conkright, Chris Jordan (Sr./Doylestown, Pa.; Germantown Academy), Ryan Crowley (So./Chatham, N.J.; Madison), and Daniel Cannon (Fr./Orangeville, Ontario) each recorded an assist.

Matt Lyons (So./Radnor, Pa.; Conestoga) started in goal for the Warriors and made 12 saves while giving up two goals in 43 minutes. Erik Shepski (Sr./West Chester, Pa.; Unionville) played eight minutes in net, recording two saves and one goal against. Alex Tankleoff (So./Malvern, Pa.; Great Valley) was in goal for the final nine minutes, making two saves and allowing two goals.

Craig Middleton and Arbitsman each scored a goal and assisted on a goal to lead Drew. Robert Budziszewski, David Elam, and Stitt were the Rangers’ other goal-scorers. Jason Woodford was Drew’s starting keeper. He made nine saves and gave up 15 goals. Paul Kenyon played the final 16 minutes in net and made six saves, while allowing one goal.