Lycoming Topples Elizabethtown
Cusick Notches Three Goals and an Assist

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s men’s lacrosse team (3-8, 3-4) defeated Elizabethtown (7-4, 4-3) in a hard-fought battle on Tuesday by a score of 9-8. Senior captain Tom Nairn (Fairport, NY) scored the unassisted game-winning goal with just 25 seconds left on the clock.

Both teams competed at a high level from the opening face-off. Stout defense was the theme of the first quarter as neither side scored. Lycoming sophomore goalie Kyle Gilfoy (Media, PA) grabbed four of his fourteen saves in the opening period. Gilfoy also recorded eight ground balls for the game and showcased his trademark hustle on balls going out of bounds.

In the second period, Elizabethtown drew first blood with a goal at 12:45, but Warrior midfielder Jim Cusick (Aston, PA) answered two minutes later with the first of his three goals on the day. Junior Dan Cannon (Orangeville, ONT) assisted the shot.

Cannon, the Warriors’ leading scorer, had three assists for the game. His second came on sophomore David Labagh’s (Elizabethtown, PA) first goal of the season at 7:59 in the second quarter. Each team scored twice more in the second, with Lycoming’s goals coming from freshmen Ed Williams (Florham Park, NJ) and Nate Walter (Harrisburg, PA). At the half, the Warriors were up 4-3.

The Blue Jays swung momentum back in their favor in the third period, outscoring Lycoming 3-1 to take a 6-5 lead. The Warriors’ sole goal came from Nairn on a pass from Cusick.

But, Lycoming rose to the occasion in the final frame. Cusick scored twice and junior Justin Dixon (Baltimore, MD) found the net once, leading up to Nairn’s last minute winner. When it looked like overtime was inevitable, Nairn charged the crease with rabid determination and slipped it between the pipes to the roar of his teammates and fans.

Ultimately, Lycoming played to its potential on the day and toppled a talented Elizabethtown team. Head coach Brian Anken looks for more of the same for the remainder of the season.

Previous to facing the Warriors, Elizabethtown was tied with Widener for second in the MAC. Messiah (7-2, 7-0), which Lycoming plays at on April 25, leads the conference.

The Warriors travel to FDU-Florham on April 21 and return to Shangraw Athletic Complex on April 28 for their final regular-season game against Drew at 1:00 p.m.