Ferentini Tallies 100th Career Goal Sending Men’s Lacrosse To E8 Championship
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (May 4, 2016) – Senior
Matt Ferentini of the Stevens Institute of Technology men's lacrosse team scored his 100th career goal in leading the team to a 21-18 win over Nazareth College in the Empire 8 Conference semifinals Wednesday.
The Ducks improved to 14-4, and advanced to the E8 Championship game Saturday, taking on No. 1 Ithaca College. Stevens advanced to the finals for the first time since 2012 when they topped the Bombers. Ithaca topped Stevens earlier this season 17-7.
"We are really proud of our guys to go on the road and earn a trip to the conference championship game," head coach
Gene Peluso said. "We thought the offense really set the pace for us."
Stevens never trailed in the game, and opened the scoring with three quick goals in the first 1:59, including a pair by senior
Connor O'Shea 14 seconds apart. Naz would get two back, but Ferentini's 100th ignited a 6-0 spurt. Junior
Connor McKeon, seniors
Michael Serrante,
Andrew Scrutchfield and
Colin Sawula along with sophomore
John Boutureira each netted markers during the run.
A Luke Wooters tally ended the streak of Stevens's goals, but Boutureira and McKeon each added their second, while junior
Jan Schoonen scored to establish a 10 goal edge. Ferentini opened the third quarter with his second of the afternoon, but Naz got some steam back, scoring four of the next five.
Junior
Tim Leahey rifled a man-up goal to start the fourth stanza, and Scrutchfield tacked on another to put Stevens back up nine goals with 10:27 left. Over the final 10:27, Nazareth would score seven of the last eight goals, getting to within three goals. But they simply ran out of time, and the Ducks avenged last Saturday's 17-15 setback.
"
Matt Ferentini did a great job for us today and he had three goals including his 100th," Peluso said. "When you score a 100 goals against the schedule we have played during Matt's time is impressive. He is a great player and an even better person. I am proud of Matt and his accomplishments."
Scrutchfield tallied four goals and two assists, while freshman
Max Bailey put in a goal and four assists. Junior
Chris Contino recorded his first goal of the season, while senior
Brett Incollingo won 19 faceoffs and scooped up a team-best 14 ground balls. Freshman
Carson White matched a career-high with 15 saves.
Wooters led Naz with five goals, while Matt O'Neill had four. The Golden Flyers dropped to 12-6 with the setback.
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