Thoroughbreds drop WestConn in home opener, 12-8

Box Score

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's lacrosse team used a seven-goal outburst in the second period to help earn them a 12-8 win over WestConn in Saturday afternoon's home opener at Wachenheim Field.

The Thoroughbreds improves to 2-0 on the season, while the Colonials drop to 1-1.

Skidmore got out to a quick 2-0 lead behind goals from sophomores Mike Holden (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Tyler Masters (Pembroke, Bermuda). WestConn quickly answered back and took the lead on goals from Ryan Gillis and a pair from Sean Macey to take a 3-2 lead after one.

In the second, the Thorughbreds took the lead right back with goals from Bryan Connolly (Babylon, N.Y.) and Holden. Macey talled his third of the game for the Colonials to tie it at 4-4 a few minutes later but they would never be able to retake the lead. Skidmore answered with four straight goals from four different players to take an 8-4 lead as Dan DeMartini (Yorktown, N.Y.), J.P. Sullivan (Floral Park, N.Y.), Holden and Sam Dickey (Greenwich, Conn.) all scored. WestConn pulled within three at 8-5 after Ryan Foster's goal with 1:58 remaining in the half but freshman Richie Davis (Edgewater, Md.) pushed the lead back to four with his first collegiate goal with 42 seconds remaining.

The Thoroughbreds held the Colonials scoreless in the third quarter as Holden tallied the only goal of the period at the 5:05 mark to make it 10-5. Masters tallied his second of the game in the fourth to make it a six-goal game, but then WestConn fought back and was able to run off three unanswered goals, two coming from Foster, and make it 11-8 with 4:49 remaining in the game. Holden put it away for Skidmore, scoring a man-up goal, his fourth of the game, to push the lead back to four as the Thoroughbreds held on for a 12-8 victory.

Holden finished with four goals and two assists for six points to lead Skidmore. Masters finished with two goals, Davis had a goal and two assists and Sullivan added a goal and an assist. Freshman Matt Diaco (Kinnelon, N.J.) finished with six saves. Junior Ryan Paradis (Brookside, N.J.) won 10-of-16 faceoffs and finished with a game-high eight ground balls.

For the Colonials, Foster and Macey each finished with three goals and Gillis had a goal and three assists. Goalie Tyler Martone made 16 saves between the pipes on 28 shots.

The Thoroughbreds outshot WestConn, 48-28 and were 20-of-23 on clears compared to 15-of-25 for the visitors.

Skidmore returns to action on Wednesday, March 9 when they take on Haverford in a neutral site game at Ridge High School in New Jeresey; the game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.

Lacrosse Game Summary (Final)

Western Conn. vs Skidmore College (Mar 05, 2011 at Saratoga Springs, NY)

Western Conn. (1-1) vs. Skidmore College (2-0)

Date: Mar 05, 2011 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY Stadium: Wachenheim Field

Attendance:175 Start time:3:30 End time:5:25 pm Total time:1:55

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SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 3 4 Tot

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Western Conn........ 3 2 0 3 - 8

Skidmore College.... 2 7 1 2 - 12

Western Conn. SCORING: GOALS: Sean Macey 3; Ryan Foster 3; Ryan Gillis

1; Mike Schoen 1.