HOBOKEN, N.J. (May 8, 2009) – Freshman Alex Hofrichter scored four goals and senior J.R. Oreskovich recorded four assists as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team dominated Kean University, 14-4 on Friday night at the De Baun Athletic Complex in an ECAC Metro/South Tournament semifinal. With the win, the Ducks advance to Sunday's championship game versus Drew University who defeated Wesley College, 13-7 in the tournament's other semifinal. Sunday's championship will be hosted by top-seeded Stevens and is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.
The outcome of this game was clear from the start as Empire 8 Player of the Year, Matt Keating put home the first of Oreskovich's four assists 24 seconds into the game. 4:40 later, the Ducks (11-6) took a 2-0 lead on sophomore Chris Laurita's first goal of the game. Keating scored on another Oreskovich feed with 6:55 remaining in the opening stanza, and Hofrichter tallied an unassisted goal 1:03 later for a 4-0 Stevens lead. Senior Eric Smith scored the final Duck goal of the quarter.
Stevens went ahead scored two more times before Kean got on the board with 4:15 to go in the half thanks to a goal from junior Anthony Bertucci (Edison, N.J.). Sophomore Taylor Brown made it 8-1 Stevens and Hofrichter tallied on a gorgeous pass from sophomore Ryan Nepveux with one second remaining in the half.
In the second half, Kean would never get closer than seven as Head Stevens Lacrosse Coach Byron Collins was able to use just about every available player he had.
Stevens ended the game with a 52-20 advantage in shots and a 45-24 edge in ground balls. The Ducks won 11-of-20 face-offs and converted 12-of-14 clears. The Cougars had a terrible time clearing the ball all night, converting only 10-of-24. Kean (12-8) went 1-for-9 on its man-up chances, and the Ducks converted on three of their six extra-man opportunities.
Sophomore Dave Decker was credited with the win in goal, making two saves. Senior Burke Reynolds got the bulk of the playing time and made five saves for the Ducks.
Junior captain Bobby Steinhauser won 11 of the 16 face-offs he took and was credited with seven ground balls. Sophomore Ted Pfeifer had a big game to lead the Stevens defense, causing eight turnovers and picking up six ground balls. Keating tallied twice, caused six turnovers, and scooped up six ground balls. Freshman Matt Walrath played well off the Stevens bench causing four turnovers and picking up five ground balls. Laurita finished with three goals as freshman Trey Bandy, junior Alex Couture, and Nepveux all registered two points in the win.
Top-seeded Stevens and third-seeded Drew will face-off on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the De Baun Athletic Complex as the Ducks will be looking for their second ECAC Metro/South Championship in three years.
