FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Despite a strong fourth quarter, the Sacred Heart men's lacrosse team dropped its home opener 12-11 against Drexel on Saturday afternoon.
Jake Ward scored three goals to lead the Pioneers.
Records:
Sacred Heart: 0-5
Drexel: 2-2
Top Performances:
Jake Ward: 3 goals, 1 assist
Sal Miccio: 2 goals, 2 assists
Johnny Morgan: 2 goals, 2 assists
Jake Garb: 2 goals, 1 assist
Carson Spooner: 2 goals
Goalkeepers:
Alex Pazienza: 17 saves
Of Note:
Johnny Morgan,
Jake Ward, and
Jake Garb all tallied goals in the opening quarter for the Pioneers. Morgan put Sacred Heart on the board first, at 12:11, before Drexel would answer with two straight tallies. The Pioneers scored back-to-back highlight reel goals as Ward and Garb found the back of the net to take 3-2 lead. The Dragons scored once more in the quarter to tie things up 3-3.
The Dragons opened up the scoring in the second quarter at 13:07 before Ward evened the score at 4-4. Drexel answered once more to take a 5-4 lead, but
Sal Miccio and
Carson Spooner scored their first goals of the game to give Sacred Heart a 6-5 advantage heading into halftime.
Drexel scored the first three goals of the third quarter as the Dragons used a strong surge, outscoring the Pioneers 5-2 in the third. Ward and Miccio scored back-to-back goals to tie the game again, 8-8. Drexel took an 11-9 advantage to wrap up the third quarter.
The Dragons opened the scoring for the fourth quarter with a goal at 11:33, but Sacred Heart had a momentum push, scoring the following two goals to get within one, 11-10, with 7:44 left. Drexel scored once more at 6:44, but Garb put away his second of the game at 3:11 to keep SHU within one, 12-11. The Pioneers had possession in the final 1:21 of the game and fired off three shots on goal, in an attempt to tie the game, but Drexel goalkeeper, Ross Blumenthal turned away the three to hold on to the 12-11 final.
The Pioneers' junior goalkeeper
Alex Pazienza made 17 saves in the loss.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart is back on the road next Saturday, March 11th, at Sienna College at 1:00 PM.
