March 10, 2009
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The eighth-ranked Endicott men's lacrosse team built a 4-0 lead in the first quarter to help secure a 10-7 win over the defending NESCAC Champions Williams College on Tuesday evening in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Gulls improve to a perfect 4-0 with the win, while the previously ranked Ephs slip to 0-2 after bowing out of the top-20 last week with a loss to Colby College.
The Gulls used a big first quarter -- wherein they converted three of their first four shots and four of their seven total shots for the period -- to propel them to victory. After falling behind 4-0 after one, the Ephs would battle back in the second half and eventually tied the score at 6-6 off of a David Hawley score just 3:15 into the final period. However, it was simply not to be as the Gulls responded by notching four more goals to put the Ephs away.
The Ephs edged the Gulls in shots (Williams: 36, Endicott: 27) and groundballs (Williams: 27, Endicott: 19), while the Gulls took extra man opportunities (Williams: 4. Endicott: 9), clears (Williams: 17, Endicott: 23), and saves (Williams: 6, Endicott: 13). The Ephs also managed to record six goals against a defense that boasted a mere 2.7 goals against per game average.
Nick Cosco put in three scores and an assist for the Gulls, while Brandon Dube, Eddie O'Reilly, and Jack Curtis would each add a pair of goals and an assist to pace the Endicott offense. However, it was goaltender Eric Hagarty`s (13 saves) big saves throughout that may have played the role of decider in the match.
David Hawley led the Ephs with two scores, while Bryan Wrapp, Richard Reuter, Matt Cranshaw, Corey Jacobs, and Sam Hargrove would each contribute a score in the losing effort. The Eph defense, despite its periodic breakdowns, was solid on Endicott extra man opportunities allowing only one score for nine Gull chances.
Endicott won the games first two face-offs and quickly converted them to two quick scores off of shots from Jack Curtis and Dan Cain just 2:22 into the game. The Gulls would add another score off of a sensational spinning shot from Brandon Dube midway through the first period to make it 3-0.
The Ephs nearly got on the board in the waning moments of the first, but Chris Edmonds shot found the crossbar and the Gulls quickly turned the table on the Ephs with a rebound and quick counter that turned into another score to send the game into the first break with Endicott up 4-0.
Sam Hargrove would get the Ephs on the board with a point blank rip in the opening five minutes of the second period, but Endicott responded with two consecutive scores to bring the game to 6-1. However, the Ephs returned their deficit to four scores when Matt Cranshaw took a feed from Thomas Murray and buried it with only 1:30 left till half to end the first half at 6-2.
The Ephs won the opening faceoff of the third quarter and Corey Jacobs stewarded the ball all the way into the net, cutting the score to 6-3 just 17 seconds into the second half. The Ephs would reel off three more scores over the rest of third and into the fourth period, making it five consecutive and knotting the game at 6-6. David Hawley book-ended the scoring in this run with Richard Reuter contributing the middle goal.
But Endicott, aided by an Eph penalty that rendered them short-handed, regained the lead just 52 seconds after they lost it and added an additional score just a minute later.
Bryan Wrapp would bring Williams back to within one 8:38 left to play, but the momentum had shifted and Endicott followed by recording two more scores, effectively ending the Ephs comeback bid.
The Ephs will look to get their first win of the season this Saturday when they return to NESCAC play against Bates. That game will be at Renzie Lamb field and will begin at 12:00 PM. Endicott now looks ahead to a showdown with Stevens Tech on March 18th in Hoboken, N.J.
