College Crosse Roundup: Virginia outlasts shorthanded Lehigh, First quarter helps Marquette over Jacksonville, Navy beats UMBC

Not a ton of surprises on Friday on the field, but there was some good action.

To the Big Board!

RECAPS

• Virginia 11, Lehigh 8: The game of the evening included some news off the field prior to the game. I reported earlier in the day that the Mountain Hawks would not have Andrew Pettit and Lucas Spence. Matt Kinnear of Inside Lacrosse reported that Pettit suffered a torn ACL and six other players, including Spence and Mike Sisselberger, were out indefinitely for undisclosed reasons. Sisselberger is academically ineligible, per multiple sources. But as for the game itself, the Cavaliers got out to a 2-0 advantage before Lehigh scored five straight. The Mountain Hawks led by two at halftime, but that’s when Michael Kraus took over. The junior scored three of his four goals in the second half, including back-to-back goals that gave Virginia a lead they’d keep for the remainder of the game. Lehigh played a sloppy game despite the close score. They turned the ball over 22 times and went 11-of-18 on clears despite going 3-of-7 on man-up opportunities and Conor Gaffney going 15-of-23 from the faceoff X.
• Marquette 14, Jacksonville 12: The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 6-1 first quarter lead in what looked like a game that would get out of hand early. But the Dolphins fought back to be down by just a goal midway through the third quarter. Marquette countered every Jacksonville comeback with goals and great defense. Senior Bob Pelton recorded his first career hat-trick, while four Golden Eagles recorded two caused turnovers with a team total of 12. John Hulsman made nine saves in goal, despite Evan Tyler scoring five goals and an assist for the Dolphins. Marquette also nearly doubled Jacksonville in ground balls, 31-16.
• Navy 11, UMBC 6: UMBC’s defense was solid with 15 caused turnovers, but Navy’s Christian Daniel put up five goals and an assist in the win. Some of Navy’s defensive players got in on the offensive action, with Ryan Kern (14 saves) recording an assist and LSM Jeff Durden (2 CTs, 3 GBs) recording a goal and an assist.
• Towson 12, Mount St. Mary’s 7: The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before the Mountaineers got within one at the end of the first quarter. But Towson went on a 7-0 that decided the game. Brody McLean was the team’s top scorer with five goals and one assist, while Timmy Monahan (1 G, 4 As), Luke Fromert (3 Gs, 1 A), and even defenseman Koby Smith (3 As, CTs, 3 GBs) got in on the offense. Tyler Canto made 18 saves in net.
• Lafayette 13, Wagner 10: Wagner controlled the first 24 minutes, but the Leopards outscored the Seahawks 9-3 in the final 36 minutes to get Patrick Myers’ second win. Andrew Robbins, Connar Dehnert, and Bryan Hess each had hat-tricks. Goalie Ryan Ness made eight saves for the win.

What You Need To See

Ian Laviano knew this Jared Conners long pole goal was in before it actually went in.

Jacksonville had some nice throwback mesh unis.

And they were put to good use with Bo BowHunter’s sick behind the back goal.

Three Stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️: Tyler Canto, G, Towson (18 saves, 6 GBs, 1 CT)

⭐️⭐️: Christian Daniel, A, Navy (5 Gs, 1 A, 4 GBs, 2 CTs)

⭐️: Michael Kraus, A, Virginia (4 Gs, 1 A, 1 GB, 1 CT)