WEST HARTFORD, CT – A five-goal game from freshman
Mike Aiello and a 6-1 goal disparity in the third quarter helped the Skidmore College men's lacrosse team defeat Hartford, 17-8, on the road Saturday afternoon.
In what began as a defensive battle in the first quarter quickly shifted into a big offensive day for the Thoroughbreds (3-3), as the program put up 16 goals on the Hawks (1-4) in the final three periods. Skidmore also outshot the home team by a staggering 50-to-29 margin, while dominating on faceoffs with a 17-to-11 edge and forcing 17 Hartford turnovers.
With his first goal of the game, senior
Jon Bouvier also became the latest member of the program's 100-career points club, joining an exclusive list that includes current teammate
Brian Gonsalves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In a defensive-heavy first quarter, The Thoroughbred struck first on a solo score from junior David Koffler at the 12:00 mark.
- The Hawks responded with a three-goal spurt that began with a first quarter goal at the 3:17 mark to make it a 1-1 game after one, before tacking on two more scores in the second quarter to take a 3-1 lead with 7:56 on the clock.
- Skidmore senior Nicolo Mazzocca cut the deficit in half less than a minute later with an unassisted goal at the 7:04 mark, before Aiello followed up with two rapid scores within a minute-long span to give the Thoroughbreds a 4-3 lead with 3:07 to go in the half.
- After Hartford tied things even at four-apiece on a man-up goal, Bouvier notched a score off the dish from Aiello for his 100th career point with just 47 seconds remaining, before scoring once again in quick succession just 30-seconds later off the pass from fellow senior Tim Blue to put Skidmore up 6-4 entering intermission.
- Riding the strong momentum at the end of the first half, Skidmore strung together four more unanswered scores to start the third quarter and suddenly holding a 10-4 advantage with 11:14 on the clock. Aiello scored twice, while sophomore Cooper Haas and freshman Jake Weiner both chipped in with goals during the red-hot stretch.
- Hartford momentarily halted the scoring run with a man-up goal, but Skidmore closed out the third quarter strong with a pair of goals from Koffler and junior Andrew Meindl to lead 12-5 entering the final period of play.
- The fourth proved to be drama-free as Skidmore notched goals from Aiello, Koffler, sophomores Jon Byrne and Cam Mcginty and freshman Charlie Schutta to secure the 17-8 victory.
STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS
- Aiello finished with five goals, one assist and picked up a groundball.
- Koffler recorded a hat trick to go with two groundballs and one caused turnover.
- Bouvier scored two goals and assisted on three others, while also picking up a groundball.
- Junior Jason Fastiggi finished 15-of-24 on faceoffs to go with seven groundballs and two caused turnovers.
- Senior Collin Kuester picked up his first win of the season and recorded five saves.
- Schutta's fourth-quarter score marked the first in the freshman's career.
UP NEXT
Skidmore kicks off Liberty League action next Saturday by playing St. Lawrence in a neutral site match at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Mass. The start time is set for 1 PM.
