Men’s Lacrosse Struggles Against Lehigh

Story posted March 20, 2012 in CommRadio, Sports by Toi Bain

The 17th-ranked Penn State men's lacrosse team (3-4, 0-1 CAA) lost its third straight game to 10th-ranked Lehigh (8-1, 1-0 Patriot) by a 9-5 score Tuesday at the Penn State Lacrosse Field.

Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese was quick to compliment Penn State's offensive attack after the game, but his team was able to fend most of it off for most of the game.

Senior attackman Jack Forster led Penn State in the game with two goals, while senior attackman Matthew Mackrides contributed a goal and an assist. Sophomore attackman Shane Sturgis and junior midfielder Nick Dolik also had goals in the loss.

The Nittany Lions hung around in the first half, but Lehigh's defense found a groove and blocked many Penn State shots. Penn State was only able to muster two goals in the second half.

The Mountain Hawks took advantage of seven penalties against the Nittany Lions in their nine goal effort, as four of their goals came on extra man advantages. Six of the eight penalties called in the second half went against Penn State, and the team was clearly frustrated.

Midfielder Dante Fantoni led the way for Lehigh with two goals and two assists on the day. Attackman David DiMaria contributed a goal and two assists. Roman Lao-Gosney and Adam Johnston also had two goals for the Mountain Hawks.

Lehigh's freshman goalie Matthew Poillon had a solid game, allowing five goals while saving ten shots. For Penn State, Austin Kaut allowed nine goals and saved nine shots.

The Nittany Lions came out of the gate strong, scoring the game's first two goals. Forster and Strugis both scored, and the quarter ended with Penn State leading 2-1. Lao-Gosney and Fantoni would put up two quick goals in the second quarter before Dolik tied the game 3-3 going into halftime.

The tide turned in the second half, and Lehigh blew the game wide open. Fantoni got his two assists in the third, finding Patrick Corbett and Johnston for goals. Lao-Gosney would also score, and the Mountain Hawks would take a 6-3 lead into the fourth quarter.

David DiMaria scored early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 7-3. Forster would respond with Penn State's first goal of the second half, but Johnston would respond quickly, making the score 8-4.

Mackrides responded to that with a goal in the third minute, but a goal by Noah Molnar sealed the victory, a 9-5 win for the Mountain Hawks.
 

Penn State travels to Saint Joseph's on Saturday, March 24, where the team will look to snap this three game losing streak. They return to University Park on March 27 with a game against Bucknell. That game will be broadcast live on ComRadio at 7 p.m.

Toi Bain is a junior majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email tjb5367@psu.edu.