SAINT LEO, Fla. – On Tuesday night in a non-conference bout, the Saint Leo men's lacrosse team collected a 12-5 victory at home versus Clark.
The Lions fell behind early as Clark scored a goal at the 10:39-mark of the first quarter, however, the Green and Gold answered as sophomore
Zach Kroog laced a goal off a feed from classmate
Aidan Knoetgen. After the Cougars took a 2-1 edge, Saint Leo's defense held Clark scoreless in the second quarter as it only mustered five shot attempts. The Lions tallied a trio of goals in the second frame to claim a 4-2 lead at halftime.
Senior
Guy Bistrow continued the offensive showcase for Saint Leo in the third quarter as he blasted a goal off a dish from classmate
Jason Curley. Freshman
Brayden Stellwagen gave the Lions a 6-2 cushion with 11:07 remaining in the third after an assist from sophomore
Greg Palmer. In the closing minutes of the third frame, Bistrow and junior
Xan Hayes each posted a goal as Saint Leo held an 8-4 advantage headed into the final frame. The Cougars cut their deficit to 8-5 with 12:34 remaining in regulation, however, the Green and Gold exploded with four consecutive goals, two of which were from Palmer. The Lion defense held strong as Clark did not record a shot attempt within the last two minutes.
Bistrow and Hayes each tallied a hat-trick with three goals while Bistrow dished out an assist as well. Palmer registered a pair of goals and one assist while Knoetgen and sophomore
John Raucci posted a goal and assist each. Stellwagen and sophomore
Ben Baker each notched a goal. Senior
Michael Flores was a menace at the X by winning 17 of his 20 faceoff attempts in addition to collecting 12 ground balls. Defensively, senior
Leo Dunlap forced two turnovers and grabbed three ground balls while sophomores
Jimmy McGonigle and
Evan Sengstock registered a pair of caused turnovers each. Graduate student
Dominic Muscella tallied five ground balls in addition to Knoetgen getting four ground balls.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, March 9, as they host Flagler at 3 p.m. on Senior Day in a non-conference matchup.
