Syracuse, N.Y. – With their fifth matchup of the NCAA tournament, the NYIT men's lacrosse program traveled north to take on top seeded Le Moyne College in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bears forced an overtime quarter, but were edged by the Dolphins to conclude their season at 13-5, as the home team remains undefeated this year at 18-0.
The Bears held strong on defense in the opening possession against the Dolphins, but the hosts were able to get on the board first at the 9:34 mark as Nick Kline found a way past Alex Seltzer. The No. 1 seed in the north region and second ranked team in the country extended their lead to four before the quarter expired keeping the Bears scoreless.
It wasn't until 4:08 in the second quarter that the Bears side of the scoreboard was lit up with an unassisted goal from Kistinger to cut into the six goal lead from the 'Phins. NYIT outshot the home team 12-3 in the third quarter alone en route to five straight goals that evened the score at six apiece. Seltzer picked up all three shots from Le Moyne to keep them scoreless throughout the third frame. Within those five goals were three from Sean Cleary and one man up opportunity from Ferraro.
Mike Chimenti also added his sixth goal of the season as the defense combined for six caused turnovers and Joe Morhardt scooped up a team-best four ground balls. Opening the final fifteen minutes was a goal from Tom Hughes, his first of the game off a pass from Matt Chanenchuk to give the visitors their first lead of the contest.
At the two-minute mark, Le Moyne registered an unassisted goal courtesy of Matt Taylor to even the score at 7-7. Both teams got a shot on goal in the closing minute, but forced a period of overtime. NYIT registered a shot at the 3:14 mark but Alex Krawec stopped it from ending the game giving his team another opportunity. Brian Rogers netted the game winner to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament slated for May 22.
The NYIT men's lacrosse team finishes the 2016 campaign at 13-5 with an ECC Co-Regular Season title and NCAA tournament appearance.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
