DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (April 26, 2023) – Graduate student Kevin Crowley matched a career high with 10 points as No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse defeated Delaware Valley University 22-7 Wednesday evening in a MAC Freedom matchup at Lipinski Field.

Crowley scored eight goals and added a pair of assists to match his 10-point performance in a victory over Moravian University on April 30, 2021 as a member of the Catholic University program. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native's 10 points are tied for the fourth-most in any MAC Commonwealth or Freedom game this season. 

Junior Jack Savarese had three goals and two assists and sophomore Blake Creamer and junior Keegan Hughes each finished with two goals and an assist for the Ducks, who won their seventh straight to improve to 14-2 on the year and to a perfect 7-0 in the MAC Freedom. With the win, the Ducks clinched their third MAC Freedom regular-season crown and extended their streak on regular season league wins to 38. Stevens will host a MAC Freedom semifinal at the DeBaun Athletic Complex on May 3.

Daniel Aulisi had four goals and Kieran Schneider added a pair of goals and an assist for Delaware Valley, who dropped its sixth straight to fall to 6-11 on the year and to 2-6 in league play. The Aggies are eliminated from postseason play.

"Glad to get another conference win and securing top seed in the MAC Freedom playoffs!" head coach Gene Peluso said. "Was happy to get all our healthy players into the game again tonight. Now we prepare for a very good and athletic Misericordia team and as well as celebrating our seniors!"

First-year Matthew Pergola and senior Joseph Grippo each scored twice for the Ducks, who saw 13 different players find the scoresheet. Graduate student Carter Haskel, junior Shea Grant and first-year Miles du Bois each scored to round out the goal-scorers. Sophomore Nicolas Accardo dished out two assists and junior Conner Park, sophomore Thomas Sabatino and first-year Joe Vignali each had one to round out the Ducks' offensive contributions. Vignali's helper on Crowley's power-play goal in the fourth quarter was his first collegiate point. 

For the second time in three games, all five netminders saw time between the pipes. Graduate student Ryan Leahy made three first-quarter saves to earn the victory. Sophomore Cooper Foote and junior Jake Zeyher combined for two saves across the second and third quarters. Sophomores Justin Gold and Quinton Smith each saw time in the fourth quarter and totaled one save. Ryley Savering had 28 saves in a losing effort for Delaware Valley. 

"Leahy did a nice job during his time on the field, making three saves and getting three ground balls," Peluso said.

It was again an early goal that put Stevens in front. After the Ducks won the opening faceoff, Haskel was the recipient of a pass from Savarese for the first goal of the game. Sophomore Blake Creamer won the game-opening faceoff, with senior Joseph Cawley scooping up the ground ball to give the Ducks the first possession of the game. Park won the next faceoff and fed Savarese as the Ducks doubled their lead in just 30 seconds. 

The Ducks would score the first five goals of the game before Schneider scored on the man-advantage to put Delaware Valley on the board. However, Pergola netted his first goal of the evening with just 22 seconds left in the opening period, sparking a run of nine straight goals that saw Stevens turn a 5-1 lead into a 14-1 lead. Crowley, who had one goal prior to the game-changing sequence scored four goals in nine minutes. He would add three goals in the second half to finish with eight. Crowley now has 195 career points, including 63 this season.

"I was impressed with Crowley on offense and the play we got from Hughes and Grippo at midfield," Peluso commented. "We also rode well with Crowley and Savarese leading the way in the riding game."

After Grant opened second-half scoring, consecutive Delaware Valley briefly slowed down the Stevens offense. The Ducks quickly responded with goals 15 seconds apart to reclaim a 13-goal lead. The teams would combine for 10 goals in a back-and-forth final quarter to provide the final margin of victory. Crowley would score twice on the man-advantage in the final two minutes and Aulisi beat the final buzzer for the final Delaware Valley goal.

One of the top offenses in the country, the Ducks crossed the 20-goal plateau for the eighth time. 

Stevens again had a healthy advantage in the faceoff circle, winning 26 of the game's 32 faceoffs, winning at least five in each quarter. Park and sophomore Andrew Muller each went 10 for 12 at the 'X' while first-year Will Giarrusso and Creamer combined to go 6 for 8. Frederick Offenburge had six faceoff wins to pace Delaware Valley. 

"I thought the faceoff trio had a great night," Peluso shared.

The Ducks caused 23 of Delaware Valley's 35 turnovers. Cawley led the defensive efforts, causing four turnovers, while Vignali, Accardo, senior David Bendis, first-year Luke Lesizza and sophomore Jake Connelly each had two. 

One of the top clearing units in the country, the Ducks were an efficient 16 for 17 on the evening, while holding Delaware Valley to success on 16 of its 35 clearing attempts. 

Stevens finished with an impressive 82 shots, finishing four shy of matching a near 25-year program record (86 – 2001 season versus City College).

Up Next: No. 20 Men's Lacrosse wraps up the regular season at home on Apr. 29, when the Ducks host Misericordia. The Ducks have won all four meetings between the programs. Prior to the contest, the Ducks will honor their Senior Class in a pregame ceremony. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

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