VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 13, 2018)  – Seniors Tommy Dawson and John Boutureira combined for seven goals as No. 17 Stevens Institute of Technology Men's Lacrosse scored three unanswered goals to snap a 5-5 tie en route to a 16-9 victory over Skidmore College Tuesday evening in a neutral-site game played at Cape Henry High School.

Junior Max Bailey recorded a goal and two assists and senior Bryan Rogers recorded the game-winning goal for Stevens, who improved to 4-1 on the year.

Jack Curry had two goals and an assist for Skidmore, who fell to 3-3.

"Was happy with the play we received from our offense," said head coach Gene Peluso. "We moved the ball well and were able to generate some great shots."

"Tommy Dawson was excellent [tonight]," Peluso continued. "Big goals from him [tonight]. We continue to get great games from [Tommy] and he continues to lead our offense and our team. [Tonight] was especially nice for Tommy as he was playing on his high school field - it was a great homecoming game."

Prior to the game, the team met with Bill Pepper, Class of 1958, who served as an honorary team captain for the game. In addition to his time at Stevens, Mr. Pepper served the United States in Korea and upon returning, became the first member of his family to attend college. Mr. Pepper has served on multiple reunion committees as a Stevens alumnus, including the one planning the Class of 1958's 60th Annoiversary.

"The best part of tonight was having Bill Pepper, Class of 1958, speak to the team and serve as an HONORARY CAPTAIN," Peluso reflected. "To watch Mr. Pepper interact with the players and represent our team during the pregame coin toss was special for both our players and our program!"

Sophomore Brendan Monteleone and freshman Ryan Gebhardt each recorded a pair of goals as nine different players collected at least one point. Sophomore Alec Caseiro had a goal and an assist to go along with a pair of wins in the faceoff 'x'. Junior Eric Radbourne and freshman Nico Ipeker each had a goal to round out the scoring. As a team, Stevens outshot Skidmore 46-29 on the evening. The Ducks held a 30-17 edge in shots on goal.

Junior Carson White made eight saves in securing his fourth victory of the year. Chris Baughan made 14 saves in the loss.

Returning to his high school field, Dawson quickly reacclimated himself to the familiar surroundings, opening the game's scoring just 81 seconds in the game. Curry answered nearly three minutes later to tie the game at one. The teams alternated goals to close out the first quarter as Skidmore's Eric Megnia and Colby Farnham followed goals by Gebhardt and Boutureira to leave the teams tied at 3 after the opening period.

The teams continued to alternate goals until the Stevens offense provided some separation in the waning moments of the first half. Boutureira fed Rogers for his fourth of the season to snap a 5-all tie. Ipeker followed two minutes later with his third collegiate goal to give Stevens a 7-5 lead at halftime. 

Monteleone tallied his second goal of the game just 17 seconds into the third quarter to extend the lead to three. Curry recorded his second of the game to stop the run, but Dawson, Gebhardt and Boutureira each found the back of the net during a five-minute stretch that put the game out of reach. 

Skidmore scored the final two goals of the third period to close within three, but the Ducks scored five times in the final period to close out the victory.

Defensively, junior Daniel Crotty led all players with four caused turnovers and seven ground balls, helping Stevens to an advantage in both statistics. 

"I thought that we got a great game from Dan Crotty," Peluso commented. "He really played great defense and had some great ground balls."

Each team won 14 faceoffs, with senior Scott Wedgeworth leading all players with 12 wins. Caseiro earned the other two victories in the 'x' for Stevens, while also picking up six ground balls.

"We also got a great game from Caseiro," Peluso offered. "He picked up some great ground balls and had a great [all-around] game."

Up Next: No. 17 Stevens returns to the friendly confines on the DeBaun Athletic Complex for a non-conference game with Haverford College on March. 17. The Ducks are 2-4 all-time against the Fords, although Stevens has come out ahead in each of the last two meetings. 

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