SALISBURY, Md. --- The Roanoke College men's lacrosse team was tied with #8 Salisbury through the first quarter, but the Sea Gulls pulled away for the low-scoring 6-3 win in the NCAA Tournament First Round. The Maroons finish the season with a record of 12-7, while Salisbury advances to the Second Round to face Salisbury University.
The Maroons close the season after having many milestone achievements to be proud about. Head Coach Bill Pilat earned his 300th career win on April 19th, becoming the 15th men's lacrosse coach in all of NCAA Divisions I, II or III to accomplish that milestone. During his tenure as coach, Pilat has led the team to 10 ODAC Championships and now 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. The Maroons finished the season with its program record setting seventh consecutive 10-win season. With their outstanding play in 2015, the Maroons earned an at-large bid to the 2015 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championships, the program's 25th overall trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Also, announced earlier today, Roanoke placed six Maroons on the 2015 Men's Lacrosse All ODAC list, including Conn Curry, who was named ODAC Rookie of the year. This is the second consecutive year the Maroons have earned the honor asKevin Jackson also won in 2014. Tyler McWilliams and Will Pilat, Second Team All-ODAC honorees also scored their 100th career goal this season in back-to-back games, respectively.
The Sea Gulls scored the first two goals of the game, the first coming on an unassisted Carson Kalama goal at 12:29. Dylan Torrey made a great save on the initial shot, but Kalama tipped in the goal from outside the crease for the 1-0 lead. Salisbury widened the lead to two goals after Mike Kane scored on a man-up opportunity with an assist from Sean Fitzgerald, with 7:30 to play. Roanoke's first goal came at the hands of IV Stucker, who notched an unassisted tally at 5:53, pulling the Maroons within one, 2-1. With eight seconds left in the quarter, Stucker found the back of the net again, this time with an assist from Joey Dishaw, tying the game at the end of the first frame.
Salisbury took advantage of another man-up opportunity, scoring just a minute into the second quarter as Nathan Blondino capped a goal from a pass by Fitzgerald. The Sea Gulls scored one more in the second, as Jake Rotman took an assist from Blondino, giving Salisbury a 4-2 advantage. The Maroons were able to close the gap entering halftime, as Tyler McWilliams made the best of man-up time, scoring an unassisted goal at 4:48 in the second. The Maroons would close the first half trailing 4-3.
The second half was a low scoring affair, with both teams taking 12 shots apiece during the last 30 minutes. However, the Maroons were shut out by the Sea Gulls in the second half. Salisbury scored two more goals in the second half. Fitzgerald scored at the 13:00 mark in the third quarter, unassisted, while Kalama closed the game as he opened it, with a goal, this time assisted by James Burton. In the end, Salisbury defeated the Maroons 6-3, and will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, May 9th.
IV Stucker led the Maroons in scoring with two goals, while Joey Dishaw had the team's lone assist of the game. Dishaw had a team high five shots on the night, whileDylan Torrey led the team with three ground balls. Torrey played all 60 minutes in net and made six saves on the evening. Max Kraus finished the game with two ground balls, winning four face-offs in the game. Will Carter had a team high three forced turnovers.
The Sea Gulls took a total of 33 shots in the game, led by Sean Fitzgerald with eight. Fitzgerald took those eight shots and finished with one goal and two assists. Carson Kalama led the team with two goals, while four other players had one each. Connor Anderson played the complete game in net, making eight saves.
Salisbury outshot the Maroons 33-24, as well as leading in face-off wins, 8-4. Roanoke finished the night with 19 successful clears on 23 attempts, as well being successful in one of four man-up opportunities.
--- This release is courtesy of the Roanoke College sports information department. ---
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