Scots advance to semis after road win over Seahawks

2015 CCC MEN'S LACROSSE INTERACTIVE BRACKET 

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Salve Regina University men's lacrosse team was outscored 10-2 in the second half by Gordon College and fell 18-7 in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) quarterfinal game.

The Seahawks never led in the game, despite outshooting the visiting Scots 54-39. The majority of those shots came from the perimeter however as the Seahawks were not able to get many in tight looks against Gordon net-minder Cody Greenwald (Albany, N.Y.).

While the Seahawks struggled to get to the slot the Scots were getting point blank chance after point blank chance. The duo of Michael Utz (Rochester, N.Y.) and Ryan Utz (Rochester, N.Y.) were a step faster than the Seahawks down low and were able to spin to the inside and get into terrific scoring positions. The two combined for nine goals, with Michael Utz scoring four and Ryan Utz scoring five.

The game was closely contested early. Gordon jumped on top first with a man-up goal courtesy of Ryan Utz, but the Seahawks answered when Andrew Fera (Crantson, R.I.) scored unassisted.

The Scots responded with a two-goal spurt to retake the lead 3-1, before Zach Makoske (Shoreham, N.Y.) brought the Seahawks to within one through one quarter.

In the second, the Scots struck first again, reestablishing a two-goal lead, but Fera scored a goal with the man-up to make it a one-goal game again.

The Scots then went on a 4-0 run spanning almost six whole minutes to take over the game. Leading 8-3 the Scots had all the momentum and energy on the side, but the Seahawks were able to score twice in the final 34 seconds to swing momentum back in their favor.

First Brian Gioscio (Franklin, Mass.) scored on a rocket from 20 yards out with 19 seconds left to play to cut into the Gordon lead. The Seahawks won possession again and quickly called for time to draw up a play.

With 10 seconds left Nick LoCicero (Lynbrook, N.Y.) started deep in the corner then circled around behind the cage before cutting to the front, firing a shot that bounced in the crease and tucked under the cross bar as the horn sounded.

The played fired up the Seahawks bench and gave the Seahawks momentum heading into halftime.

Trailing 8-5 the Seahawks needed to start the third quarter fast. It was the Scots however that owned the third quarter, scoring five more times while shutting out the Seahawks in the frame.

The Seahawks had their chances to climb back into the game but went 0-6 in the third quarter with the man advantage and 3-15 overall in the game.

The Seahawks didn't score again until there was 4:46 left to go in the fourth quarter. Steven Russell (Bayport, N.Y.) setup Alex Gomes (Raynham, Mass.) in the slot for a shorthanded goal but by that time the game was out of reach with Gordon leading 16-6.

Face-offs were almost even with the Scots edging out a 15-12 advantage, but in the fourth when the Seahawks desperately needed the ball to try and make a comeback, the Scots were 7-8 on the draw, effectively keeping the ball away from the Seahawks. 

For Salve Regina, their season comes to a close, ending with a 6-7 overall record. Gordon improves to 8-9 overall and will travel to face top-seeded Endicott College in the semifinals.