MEN’S LACROSSE CELEBRATES SENIOR NIGHT WITH 12-4 WIN OVER MONKS

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College celebrated the careers of the eleven seniors on the Men's Lacrosse Team prior to the Saints' 12-4 victory over Saint Joseph's College on Tuesday night on Roberto Clemente Field.  The Saints stretched their win streak to eight games and used the Great Northeast Athletic Conference win to improve to 10-4 on the season and 7-0 in league play.  The loss dropped the visiting Monks to 5-8 overall and 2-5 against GNAC opponents.

Prior to the start of the contest, the Saints honored their eleven seniors, including: Jack Ruggiero (Manhasset, N.Y.), Jeremiah Treanor (Chester, N.H.), Austin Lauzier (Bedford, N.H.), Geoffrey Morrissey (Dennisport, Mass.), John Kearns (Cold Spring, N.Y.), Jake Jaskolski (St. Clair Shores, Mich.), Joel Berger (York, Maine), Cody Gallagher (West Islip, N.Y.), Jake Pickett (Stratham, N.H.), Kevin McMichael (Pompton Plains, N.J.) and Justin Byers (Indianapolis, Ind.).  The group represents Emmanuel's first-ever class of graduating seniors to play four years of varsity lacrosse at Emmanuel College.

Sophomore attack Donnie Litzelman (Stratham, N.H.) notched his second-consecutive seven-point game, scoring three goals and dishing out a career-high four assists, while sophomore Tony Cibelli (Westboro, Mass.) netted four goals and an assist to lead the way in the win for the hosts.

Two goals from Cibelli sandwiched one from Berger in the first quarter, as Emmanuel took a quick 3-0 lead after one.  Litzelman netted two goals in a span of just ten seconds to open the second quarter scoring for the Saints.  Gallagher sliced down the right side and hit Litzelman with a pass in the middle for his first.  Picket then won the ensuing face-off and found Litzelman on open in the crease to put EC up, 5-0.

Rookie Matt Donnell (Watertown, Mass.) got Saint Joseph's on the board two minutes into the second.  Cibelli then notched his third score of the night on a curl from the right side at 11:57, before finding an open Litzelman just 12 seconds later at 11:45.  With the Saints up 7-1, Chris Curtis (Ashland, Mass.) and Tyler Billick (Agawam, Mass.) each scored once to cap the first half scoring for Emmanuel and the hosts held a 9-1 lead at the break.

The sophomore tandem of Litzelman/Cibelli would provide the only third quarter scoring for either side and the Saints stretched their lead to 10-1.

Rookie middie Charlie Moran (Maitland, Fla.) recorded a pair of goals in the fourth for the Saints and three different Monks, including Brendan Barrett (East Sandwich, Mass.), Luigi Grimaldi (Portland, Maine) and Dalton Eldrige (South Gardiner, Maine), scored for Saint Joseph's to set the final score at 12-4.

Lauzier captured his 9th win of the season, making five saves in his 46:49 in net.  Byers played 12:47 of the fourth quarter and made four stops.

Ethan Rettew (Ephrata, Pa.) took the loss in net for the Monks, but made 18 saves in the effort.  The hosts Saints out-shot the Monks 46-24 on the night.

Emmanuel will play one final regular season contest.  The Saints are set to travel to Paxton, Mass. on Saturday for a 1:00 PM start at Anna Maria College.  Saint Joseph's will host Norwich University in the Monks' senior day celebration on Saturday at 1:00 PM.