In a tremendous upset on March 9 that proved the men’s lacrosse team still has their fire, Kean University fell to the Cavs by a score of 23-2. After losing two consecutive games, the Cavs were a little apprehensive that their season might be going down the drain, but with this game and the game right before it, they proved themselves, and everyone else, wrong.
“This game showed what we are capable of doing when we play as a team, but unfortunately that doesn’t seem to happen too often,” said junior Tom Grosse.
Early in the first quarter, freshman T. Jay Fairlie scored the first two goals of the game, just before Kean answered back with the first of their two goals. The Cavs were not thrown off, however, because after Kean’s goal, Fairlie set the stage for the following eight-goal streak.
Early in the second period, Grosse had an impact hit on one of Kean’s players, setting the mood for the intensity they were about to face.
By halftime, the score was 13-2 and little did Kean know that they were finished scoring for the rest of the game.
The third and fourth periods proved to be just as successful as were the first two for the Cavs. In each of the two periods five goals were scored.
Assistant coach Ryan Greer seems optimistic for the duration of the season. “Our first two games were bumpy but now we’ve regained our intensity and are coming back strong.” Greer also added that the “freshman are stepping up nicely, filling in key roles due to injuries.”
Fairlie ended the game with five goals and two assists, while freshman Rory Friel followed closely behind with three goals and two assists. Freshman Paul Archambault contributed three goals and one assist to the game while freshman Nick Marks contributed two of each, as did senior Tom Lemieux.
Freshman Brooks Pickering scored two for the Cavs and provided one assist. Sophomores Mike Piccoli and Paul Muller, freshmen Brian Ginter and Justin Gray each had one goal and one assist. Freshman Steve Pape and junior Chris Salemme each had one goal, sophomore Jack Heim had one assist and junior Mike Pape had two assists.
Sophomore goalie Antonio Masone recorded the win with seven saves in 45 minutes. For the last 15 minutes of the game, sophomore goalie Geoff Kloc had three saves.
