ELMIRA, N.Y. (April 21, 2009) – With a huge game versus fourth-ranked Ithaca College looming on Saturday night, the Stevens Institute of Technology took care of what it needed to and defeated Elmira College, 25-10 on Wednesday afternoon in Elmira, N.Y. Stevens scored 20 goals for the second-straight game and won for the sixth time in seven tries to push their record to 10-4 overall and 6-1 in the Empire 8. The win sets the stage for an enormous season finale on Saturday night as the Ducks and Ithaca will play for the Empire 8 regular-season title and top seed in the 2009 Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Championship on May 1 and 3.
Stevens dominated the game from start to finish, ending with a 62-31 advantage in shots, and picking up 51 ground balls compared to 43 for the Soaring Eagles. Elmira (1-11, 0-7 Empire 8) won 20-of-33 face-offs but converted just 15-of-26 clear attempts. Stevens turned the ball over just seven times and was successful on 21-of-25 clear attempts.
Senior Burke Reynolds made his first start of the season in goal, getting the win and making seven saves in 50 minutes. Reynolds allowed just one goal. Sophomore Felipe McAlister and freshman Eric Yando each saw their action in net, getting some time late in the fourth quarter.
Senior Matt Keating tallied five goals and two assists to lead a potent Stevens offense that has scored 45 goals in two games. Freshman Alex Hofrichter also tallied five times, and senior J.R. Oreskovich had four assists. Oreskovich broke the career points record in the win over Nazareth on Sunday and now has 332 for his career. Sophomore Chris Laurita, junior Alex Couture, and freshman Matt Johannes were the only Ducks to score multiple goals as the trio recorded two apiece. Sophomore Brandon Faubert, sophomore Taylor Brown, sophomore Zach McHugh, freshman Kevin Rose, freshman Cal Case, sophomore Joey Simone, senior captain Alex Heckman, and freshman Matt Walrath all tallied once for the Ducks.
Freshman Vincent Crisco picked up a game-high seven ground balls as Simone, Walrath, and Hofrichter scooped up three apiece.
The Ducks actually fell behind 1-0 to start the contest but proceeded to score the game's next 17 goals. Stevens had a 12-1 lead after the first 30 minutes as Head Coach Byron Collins was able to get almost the entire Stevens bench into the action.
The Ducks will now move on to face Ithaca in an enormous contest on Saturday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. Ithaca is the fourth-ranked team in the country and is tied with the Ducks for first in the Empire 8. The Bombers come in with an overall record of 13-1 and have won four in a row. They squeaked by Hartwick College in overtime on April 18.
In addition to the game itself, Stevens will be celebrating 125 years of lacrosse in Hoboken as alumni going all the way back to the Class of 1942 will be in attendance. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. For those unable to attend, the contest will be broadcast live at www.Empire8.tv.
