HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 25, 2015) – The 20th ranked Montclair State University men's lacrosse team defeated Stevens Institute of Technology by a score of 11-9 on a rainy Wednesday night at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.
 
The largest lead for either team was three goals as the Red Hawks were able to take a 9-6 lead into the fourth quarter, scoring two goals in the final minute of the third thanks to senior midfielder Zach Schreck.
 
Despite the tall task, the Ducks clawed back, tying the game with 8:16 remaining after a 3-0 run. Sophomore midfielder Connor McKeon tallied 3:19 into the final period, and junior midfielder Matt Ferentini brought the Ducks within one thanks to an assist from sophomore attack Tim Leahey. Senior midfielder Michael Maroon fed junior midfielder Michael Serrante to tie the game and it looked like the Ducks had seized all the momentum.
 
However, Stevens was unable to find the back of the net late, and the Red Hawks notched a man-down tally with 6:13 left before clinching the win with Schreck's third of the night at 2:43.
 
Leahey opened the scoring with a man-up goal 1:32 into the game. Following a MSU (5-2) equalizer, freshman attach Tommy Dawson notched his third in the last two games, but the Red Hawks ran off two-straight to take a 3-2 lead. Serrante's fifth of the year and first of the night evened things at three heading into the second.
 
In quarter two, MSU outscored the Ducks (4-4) 3-2, with Stevens getting goals from Maroon and Leahey and assists from freshman midfielder John Boutureira and McKeon. Maroon scored unassisted for the only Duck goal of the third.
 
The Ducks finished with a 48-36 margin in shots, putting 24 on goal, and they also had a 34-31 edge in ground balls.
 
Junior midfielder Brett Incollingo won 13 of his 21 faceoffs, scooping up six ground balls, as the Ducks went 15-for-23 in the 'X'.
 
Maroon led Stevens with two goals, two assists, two caused turnovers and two ground balls, while Leahey had three points on two goals and one assist. Serrante tallied twice, and McKeon had two points. Junior attack Connor O'Shea notched four ground balls and a caused turnover, while junior midfielder Colin Sawula had three ground balls and a caused turnover. Sophomore defenseman Jake Krantz picked up four ground balls and won both his faceoffs, with sophomore defenseman Jan Schoonen tallying four ground balls.
 
Junior Austin Boyd made eight saves in goal for Stevens, adding two ground balls. Junior Lucas Jones made 15 stops for the Red Hawks to earn the win.
 
The Ducks return to action when they visit Alfred University in their Empire 8 opener Saturday.

Photos c/o Daniel Polk