UNION, N.J. – The junior foursome of
Gianni Ciffone (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac),
Nick Delia (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South),
T.J. Caccavo (Carlsbad, Calif./San Marcos) and
Will Duval (Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay) totaled a combined 10 points and six goals, but it was not enough as the Manhattanville College men's lacrosse team suffered a tough 10-8 non-conference road defeat at Kean University Friday night, March 29.
The Valiants (5-3) dominated the second quarter with four goals and held a one-goal 7-6 lead heading into the fourth, but the Cougars (5-2) were able to control the offense in the final stages to take the two-goal contest over the visitors.
Manhattanville fell behind 4-2 early on in the second, but three straight goals in the final three and a half minutes of the first half helped them to a one-goal lead after two quarters of play. Rookies
Harrison Yoguez (Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph (H.S.)), who scored his 11th, and
Melchi Agyapong (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes), who scored his first-career goal as a collegian, struck within 30 seconds of one another to tie it at 4-4 with less the three minutes remaining until halftime. With time winding down and just 13 seconds left, Delia scored his 14th of the season to give the Valiants the 5-4 lead at the half.
The road squad stayed even with Kean at two goals apiece in the third quarter and held a one-goal, 7-6 lead heading into the final quarter. The Valiants gave up a pair of goals in man-down situations in the third, but also scored twice at even strength – Delia with his second of the game and Duval with his lone score on the night.
Caccavo led off the fourth with his second of the night and 12th of the year to put Manhattanville up 8-6 with 10:31 remaining in regulation, but 20 seconds later the Cougars picked up the momentum by scoring in a man-down situation of their own to pull back within one and start a 4-0 run to end the game and pick up the win over the visiting Valiants.
Highlights:
- Manhattanville outshot Kean 52-38, including 27-24 in shots on goal.
- The Valiants were nearly perfect on clearing attempts on the night, going 21-of-22.
- They also outhustled the Cougars and finished with a 39-35 advantage in ground balls.
- Senior Sam Hahn (Briarcliff Manor, N.Y./Briarcliff) led the way with eight ground balls and six caused turnovers, while Ciffone had six ground balls and caused two turnovers. Duval also scooped up five ground balls.
- Junior Jason Frezza (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Portledge) made 14 stops on 24 Cougar shots on net.
The Valiants are now off until Wednesday afternoon, April 3, when they kickoff Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play. Manhattanville will travel to St. Davids, Pa., for a road battle with reigning MAC Freedom champion Eastern University, set to begin at 4:00 p.m.
