Men's Lacrosse | 5/12/2024 8:23:00 PM
MIDDLETOWN, CT – The St. John Fisher University men's lacrosse team (14-7) upset yet another nationally-ranked team to advance to the NCAA Division III National Tournament Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The Cardinals battled St. Lawrence University (15-4) who are ranked No. 4 by Inside Lacrosse, No. 5 by the USILA and led throughout, holding on to earn an 11-10 win in the third round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter with Timmy Salit scoring just one minute in. Salit added his second of the day with 5:08 to play and Brett Seaman made the score 3-0 in what turned into a crazy final minute. Seven seconds after the Seaman score, the Saints tallied their first of the day, but Sean Donaldson pushed the lead back to three goals with a score in the final seconds of the first quarter.
St. Lawrence began to push back with two goals in the opening three minutes of action, cutting their deficit to 4-3. The Cardinals responded in force starting with a Jordan Leuze score to with under 12 minutes to play. A couple of minutes later Brady Mason converted on a man up opportunity before Leuze and Ethan Kesselring pushed the lead to 8-3. Before the half concluded, the Saints scored twice to bring the score to 8-5 in favor of the Cardinals at the half-way point.
The Cardinals began to fend off an consistent attack by the Saints, seeing their lead cut to two before Matthew Kemmis scored with 8:51 on the clock in the third. Heading into the final frame, the advantage was cut to just one on multiple occasions but clutch goals by Salit and Kemmis helped keep the team ahead and secure the 11-10 victory.
Salit and Kemmis led the way with four points each, with Salit scoring three goals and assisting on another and Kemmis going for two goals and two assists. Leuze also recorded a brace, and added an assist to total three points. Ben Hammond was crucial in net, making 15 saves on his way to a win, including one in the final four seconds to ice the game.
Judge Murphy had three goals and two assists for five points to lead St. Lawrence, Goalkeeper Michael Marinello made 15 saves in defeat.
The Cardinals will face-off against Tufts University who are ranked No. 6 by both Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine and eighth in the USILA poll. The matchup will take place on May 18 with the location and time of the game still to be determined.
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