Cavs capture first victory of the season

After jumping out to an early 9-4 lead, the men's lacrosse team saw their lead diminish as Lycoming College cut the score to 11-10. However, the Cavs responded by scoring two goals for a 13-10 victory which evened their record at 1-1.

by Ron D'Orazio staff writer senior Kevin Camp.

After a loss in their first game the men's lacrosse team came back to win their second game, 13-10, over visiting Lycoming.

Coach Pat Scarpello's squad, boosted by a very quick start, beat Lycoming at home on Wednesday, March 12.

The Cavaliers came out after the' opening whistle and played a physical and aggressive opening quarter by throwing two or three hard body checks that forced turnovers and brought the home crowd to life.

The crowd became more excited after Cavalier attacker senior captain Joe Collins scored two goals in the first three minutes to open the game.

The defense of the Cavaliers was stingy during the opening half. They did not allow Lycoming attackers to have many solid scoring chances on goalie

Camp played well, making three solid saves with the shooter standing right in front of the net.

The defense protected Camp using stick-checking and man-to-man coverage in front of their net to hold off much of the Lycoming attack during the first half.

Turnovers that the Cavalier defense caused combined with coverage miscues by Lycoming's defense led to a fast start for the Cavalier offense, Collins pumped in five of his seven total tallies in the first half.

Collin's production was aided by junior mid-fielder Phil Gagliardi, who chipped in a goal and four assists in the first half.

At the end of the first half, the game looked like it would end in a blowout as the Cavs led, 9-4.

Lycoming's favor. Lycoming came out with fire and cut the Cavalier lead to 97 before Collins scored again to increase the Cavs lead back to three goals.

Lycoming's defense began to tighten and their physical play started to show, as the Cavaliers began to tum the ball over.

The Cavaliers experienced some foul trouble during the course of the game, including the reception of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for illegal celebration.

This foul came after junior attacker Brian Bugey scored in the first half and swung his stick in the air.

Their penalty troubles continued into the second half. Lycoming received several man-advantages, one of which they were able to capitalize on and close the gap between themselves and the Cavaliers to a one goal lead of 11-10 early in the last quarter.

The start of the second half began like the first half, but this time it was in Cabrini closed out the last quarter of the contest with two insurance goals by junior mid-fielder Mike Friel. Along with his game winning tally, Friel completed a hat trick to go along with an assist.

The offense and Friel received help from Gagliardi who finished with a goal and a game high of six assists.

After the win, Bugey said, "The team got off to a quick start. We never lost our confidence and we kept a good edge."

Scarpello said Lycoming played a very good game for only being a firstyear program.

The Cavaliers played well under pressure and displayed poise in holding off Lycoming at the end, Scarpello said.

He wants the team to try and use the win as a building block in gaining momentum for the remainder of the season.

"The season should continue to go well if the team can stay out of penalty trouble," Scarpello said.