HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 2, 2024) - Senior Jack Savarese scored five times while sophomore Luke Lesizza caused a career-high eight turnovers as the No. 17/16 Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team defeated Messiah 14-2 in a non-conference contest Saturday afternoon at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

The two goals allowed is the lowest for the Ducks against a non-conference opponent since 2017, when the Ducks let up two against Arcadia. Stevens was a member of the Empire 8 at the time. The Ducks win their third-straight game as they improve to 3-1. All four games played have been at home. The next game concludes a five-game homestand. It was the first matchup between the two teams. Messiah is now 2-2.

The first goal of the game came at the 11:38 mark as graduate student Chris Kirschner found the back of the net. The only other goal in the quarter came from the Falcons, as the teams were tied at one at the end of the first. Sophomore Luke Lesizza tallied five caused turnovers in the quarter. At the exact same time as the Kirschner goal, but now in the second, senior Joseph Grippo scored his first of the day to put Stevens back in front. Messiah would score the tying goal three and a half minutes later, but that would be their last goal of the game. Stevens closed out the first half with two goals, as junior Tommy Robertozzi (5:48) and Savarese on an assist from Grippo (1:17) to put Stevens up 4-2 at the break.

The Ducks more than doubled their tally in the third as they found the back of the net twice. Grippo struck at the 12:34 mark to put the Ducks up 5-2. Junior Mikey Whiteside, who exploded for six goals last game, scored the Ducks's sixth goal on the night. After six scoreless minutes, Savarese would score on a man advantage off of an assist from sophomore Matthew Pergola to put Stevens up five. Robertozzi would add his second at the 2:45 mark, and Savarese would add another seven seconds later off a faceoff win from first-year Jackson Penn. Penn provided the assist on the play. Stevens led 9-2 after three. 29 seconds into the final frame, Savarese found the back of the net again on an assist from senior Keegan Hughes. Savarese would also score the next Duck goal, this time junior Shea Grant assisting. Messiah would continue to struggle, unable to record many shots on target and racking up the penalty calls. The Ducks would seal things down the stretch with goals from junior Thomas Sabatino, graduate student Brendan Laundry, and Pergola to pick up another win.

Top Performers

• Savarese tallied six points.
• Grippo had two goals and two assists.
• Robertozzi scored twice.
• Pergola had a goal and an assist.
• Kirschner picked up a goal and an assist.
• Six other Ducks recorded a point.
• Lesizza caused eight turnovers. Messiah as a team caused 11.
• Pergola, Lesizza, and Penn each picked up four ground balls.
• Graduate student Kevin Holtby (3-1) made seven saves to earn the victory.

• Seth Libby and Caden Green each scored once.
• Bobby Berg and Jesse Lynch each tallied an assist.
• Jourdain Algarin picked up six ground balls.
• David Gross caused five turnovers.
• Algarin (2-2) made 13 saves.

Around the MAC Freedom

• Delaware Valley 3, Albright 23
• FDU-Florham 3, Montclair State 21
• Goucher 14, Lebanon Valley 11
• Misericordia 14, Alfred 18
• Ursinus 16, DeSales 12
• Gwynedd Mercy 9, Arcadia 18

Up Next: The Ducks finish up their five-game homestand to kick off the season when they host Oneonta on Saturday. The game is set for 4 p.m. The Ducks are 2-0 all-time against the Red Dragons, including winning 10-5 in last year's contest.. Links for live stats and video are posted to stevensducks.com