SPARKILL, NY (Feb. 24, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Lacrosse got back in the win column picking up a 16-11 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas. Although the score was close throughout, the Lions grabbed a lead midway through the first and held it the rest of the way for their second win of the season. GCU is now 2-1 through two games.
How it Happened
• Georgian Court rattled off more than 50 shots, lead in the shots department 52-43.
• The Lions also had the edge in ground balls, 37-29.
• GCU turned the ball over 18 times and Rams 16.
• On clearance attempts, GCU was 15-18 and the Rams 15-20.
• Off the draw, Georgian Court wont 19 of 29 faceoffs.
• The Lions cashed in on 4-5 extra man opportunities. STAC was 1-2.
First Quarter
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Brett Bridges started the scoring with a goal 95 seconds into the game.
• STAC responded with two quick goals for their only lead of the game, 2-1.
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James Sanford had the equalizer and
Tallen Smith put GCU ahead 3-2 with 7:23 to play in the period.
• A man-up goal from the Spartans tied the game, but Bridges answered with a man-up goal himself to put the Lions back on top.
• Each team scored in the final minute with Smith's second coming with just two seconds left for a 6-4 lead after one.
Second Quarter
• St. Thomas Aquinas started the second with a pair of quick goals to retie the game at six-apiece.
• GCU answered with three straight, taking their largest lead to that point, 9-7. Smith scored along with
Millan Webster and
Matt Dorrian during the stretch.
• After STAC brought it to within two, Smith again late in the period found the back of the net with 1:23 in the half. That was the final goal before halftime with the Lions leading 10-7.
Third Quarter
• Like he did in the first half, Bridges started the second with a goal, this time with the man-advantage just 32 seconds in for a four-goal lead.
• STAC scored two in a 30 second span to cut the lead in half at 11-9.
• Georgian Court extended their lead scoring four straight. Two came in the third and two in the fourth. Smith scored his fifth and Dorrian added one for a 13-9 lead with one quarter left to play.
Fourth Quarter
• Dorrian and Smith each scored again to start the fourth. Smith's goal came at 7:15 to give the Lions a six-goal lead.
• The Lions defense was smothering in the fourth, allowing just two late goals with the Lions up big.
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Doug Mackenzie punctuated the win with a man-up goal late in the fourth to put the game away.
Lion Stat Leaders
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Tallen Smith scored seven points with a team-best six goals. He picked up three ground balls as well.
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Brett Bridges totaled six points with three goals and three assists.
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Matt Dorrian also scored three times with a ground ball and a caused turnover.
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Garrett Kenny won 19-29 faceoffs and scooped a team-best nine ground balls.
• In goal,
Vincent Burkhart made 14 saves.
For the Spartans
• Craig Peavy made 13 saves in the loss.
• Joseph Casarella and Ryan Christensen each scored two goals and two assists. Casarella also picked up five ground balls.
• John Pena scored a team-best three goals.
• Austin Palen was 10-28 on faceoffs with five ground balls.
• John Morris had a game-high two caused turnovers.
News and Notes
• Georgian Court improves to 10-0 lifetime against St. Thomas Aquinas.
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James Sanford picked up his 50th career ground ball.
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Garrett Kenny won his 100th career faceoff. His 19 wins are also a single-game high.
Up Next
• Georgian Court finishes up a three-game road trip with another tough test as they head to Dobbs Ferry, NY on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to square off with Mercy who was ranked No. 9 in the nation this past week. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
