(Cazenovia, NY – March 6, 2013) The Cazenovia College men’s lacrosse team opened the 2013 season with a thrilling 9-8 comeback victory over SUNY Canton at Christakos Field. The Wildcats (1-0) gave the Kangaroos their second straight setback of the young season.
Cazenovia drew first blood in the contest when Kyle Kingsley (Potsdam, N.Y.) put a Joe Delia (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) pass into the back of the net at the 9:08 mark in the first. Canton rattled off two straight scores, before Kingsley and Delia each tallied a goal at the end of the quarter, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead at the end of the first.
The Wildcat offense grew stagnant in the second as the Kangaroos scored the only goal of the quarter knotting the score 3-3 at the half.
Seniors Taylor Hastrich (Horseheads, N.Y.) and Cory Tilton (Central Square, N.Y.), along with Kingsley, each notched a score over the first 7:30 of the third as the Wildcats went on a 3-0 run to take a 6-3 lead. The teams traded goals to give Cazenovia a 7-4 lead heading into the final quarter.
Canton caught fire in the fourth, scoring four unanswered goals to take the momentum, and an 8-7 lead, with only six minutes left in regulation. Mike Kardernis (Castle Creek, N.Y.)regained control for the Wildcats, dominating late face-off situations to give Cazenovia vital possessions. The Wildcats took advantage as Tilton tied the game at 8-8 at the 4:48 mark, followed by Brent Brearley (Vestal, N.Y.) ripping the back of the net off a feed from Hastrich for the game winner.
The defense, anchored by Pat Boyle (Syracuse, N.Y.) (15 saves), Kardernis (seven ground balls), Sean Ward (Truxton, N.Y.) (four caused turnovers), Alex Marranca (Buffalo, N.Y.)(three caused turnovers), and Mike Helak (Buffalo, N.Y.) (four ground balls and two caused turnovers), shut down the Kangaroo offense over the last three minutes of regulation to secure the 9-8 victory.
Wes Lawrence (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) also picked up five ground balls in addition to using his speed and elusiveness to convert several key clears for the Wildcats.
Cazenovia heads south for their next match-up, when they travel to Western Maryland on March 10 to take on Frostburg State at 1:00 pm.