PHILADELPHIA – Trailing by as many as three in the fourth quarter, the Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse team was unable to complete the comeback in the closing seconds as the Hawks fell in an 11-10 defeat to Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon at Sweeney Field.
St. Joe's saw its seven-game win streak fall to move to 7-3 on the season. The Hawks dropped its first conference contest since the 2019 season, the 25-game conference win streak coming to an end in the defeat. UMass improved to 8-2 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After the Minutemen opened the scoring after more than eight minutes elapsed on the clock, the Hawks responded with goals from Mark Watters and Carter Truesdell to tak a lead late in the first frame.
- UMass responded with an equalizer to end the quarter before completing a 4-0 run after starting the second frame with the opening three goals.
- Collin Campbell jumpstarted a 4-1 run to close out the half for the Hawks as Richie LaCalandra scored on either side of a Mark Watters stinger to notch the game at 6-6 headed into the halftime break.
- The teams traded early goals to start the third quarter before the visitors scored twice while holding St. Joe's scoreless over the last 11 minutes of the frame to take a 9-7 advantage into the final 15 minutes.
- Mark Watters registered his hat trick to pull the Hawks within one, but UMass responded with two goals to extend its lead back to a game-high three goals with over eight minutes to play.
- LaCalandra scored with 6:19 on the clock before the UMass bunkered in and seemingly all but staved off the comeback bid from St. Joe's.
- The Hawks were able to cause a late turnover in the final minute before Danny Gaalaas raced the length of the field before finding Jack McGorry, the short-stick midfielder rippling the netting with his attempt with 28 seconds remaining.
- Pierce Hart helped the Hawks win the ensuing faceoff, the scramble finding its way to Ben Dutton as the freshman was only able to get a quick behind-the-back attempt off before the defense closed in on him. Freshman goalkeeper Owen Salanger responded with his 13th save of the day as UMass held on for victory on opening day in Atlantic 10 action.
GAME NOTES
- Richie LaCalandra paced the Hawks with four goals on the afternoon, eclipsing 200 points in his career after entering this season with 166 points.
- Mark Watters scored at least three goals for the fourth time this season, tying LaCalandra with 19 on the season for second-most on the team.
- Collin Campbell and Carter Truesdell each finished with a goal and an assist.
- Danny Gaalaas added an assist to a defensive performance that included four caused turnovers and five ground balls.
- Ryan Bradley added three caused turnovers and four ground balls in the loss, while Liam Quinn and Levi Verch each forced a pair of turnovers. Verch tied a team-high five ground balls on the afternoon.
- Tommy Gross made 10 saves on a .476 save percentage, two saves shy of 100 on the season.
- The Hawks outshot the Minutemen by a 39-36 margin and a 23-21 advantage on goal. UMass held a 17-8 advantage at the faceoff.
UP NEXT
The Hawks return to action on Saturday, April 4 in a trip to St. Bonaventure. The start is slated for 12 p.m.
