Rutgers Men's Lacrosse Edged at Army, 9-8
Mar 06 | Men's Lacrosse
WEST POINT, N.Y. (March 6, 2012) - The Rutgers men's lacrosse team was hot on the trail of Army into the final moments of the game, but could not draw even to force overtime at Michie Stadium, dropping a result of 9-8 on Tuesday. The Scarlet Knights (3-3) used tenacious defense in the fourth period to tighten the contest with the Black Knights (3-3), who came into the game averaging 12.6 goals per game.
First-year head coach Brian Brecht's squad was led in scoring by senior co-captain M Will Mangan (Maplewood, N.J.), who recorded two goals and one assist for his third 2012 performance with at least three points. Mangan also proved to be crucial in the possession game, scooping a season-high five ground balls. Freshman M Brian Goss (Arlington Heights, Ill.) totaled two goals for his fifth multiple-point game of the season.
The final period was closely contested between the two sides with Rutgers locking down the Army attack for the majority of the 15 minutes of action. The Scarlet Knights pulled within 8-7 to Army off a goal from redshirt sophomore A Scott Klimchak (Clark, N.J), who was assisted by Mangan at 12:33. Scoring action then slowed until the final minute of play. Army's Garrett Thul scored on an open-net opportunity with 20 seconds left after escaping Rutgers' persistent defense. Goss scored his second of the night immediately after the ensuing faceoff on an unassisted play just seven seconds later. The RU goal was the last of the game, with Army taking the final advantage of 9-8.
The Scarlet Knights found themselves quickly down 2-0 to start the first period after two straight scores by Army's John Glesener. Rutgers weathered the initial Black Knight storm and leveled the game at 2-2 late in the opening period off goals from sophomore A Nick DePaolera (Kinnelon, N.J.) and Mangan. DePaolera scored his goal at 4:12 in the first period off the first career assist of sophomore M Benjamin Schwing (Medford, N.J.), while Mangan put his score in unassisted at the 3:03 mark.
After giving a goal back to the Black Knights, senior A Michael Diehl (Flemington, N.J.) knotted the game again for Rutgers at 3-3 with 9:43 left in the second period. The goal was fueled by a feed from senior co-captain M Nick Zerrillo (Brewerton, N.Y.) for his first assist of the season.
Late in first half action, Army's Thul scored to give his squad a 4-3 lead with 2:49 on the clock. The advantage did not last long as senior co-captain M Zach Zenda (Monmouth Junction, N.J.) executed a fast-break to perfection off a feed from sophomore D Nick Contino (Branchburg, N.J.) to set the score a 4-4 at the 1:46 mark. The Scarlet Knight goal was the first of Zenda's career. Army slipped a goal in with 27 seconds left in the half to take a 5-4 advantage into the break.
Rutgers fought back late in the third period with two goals after giving way to the Black Knights, who had pushed out to a 8-4 advantage. Goss netted his opening goal of the game off an assist from junior A Duncan Clancy (Princeton, N.J.) with 1:06 on the clock to make it 8-5. Mangan scored his second to follow Goss' score with only five seconds left in the period to set Rutgers' deficit at 8-6 heading into the final period.
Junior G Joseph Donnelly (Newtown Sq., Pa.) stepped in to start between the pipes for the Scarlet Knights, making nine saves while allowing nine goals to take the loss. Redshirt sophomore D Christopher Zybrick (Kinnelon, N.J.) led the way defensively, notching two caused turnovers against the Black Knights.
Rutgers next hosts Marist at the Stadium Complex on Tuesday, March 13. RU's first home night game of 2012 is set for 7 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RUlaxCoach). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
