Posted: Mar 19, 2009
The Roanoke College men's lacrosse team will be taking on The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey at home this Thursday, March 19, in out of conference action. The fourth-ranked Maroons are 7-0 this season, tied for the best start in school history with the 1978 and 1979 seasons. Game time is set for 3:30 pm.
Series Info
This is the first time in program history that the Maroons have faced the Ospreys in regular season play. It is the third of four opponents on the 2009 schedule that Roanoke will face. They have defeated York (Pa.), 20-7 and Birmingham-Southern, 27-3 in their series-openers.
Last Time Out
CARLISLE, Pa. --- Roanoke College escaped with a 14-13 win over Dickinson on the road this afternoon. The win improved the Maroons to 7-0 on the season while the Red Devils slipped to 3-2.
In what was the closest game of the season, the Maroons tied the 1978 and 1979 teams for the best start in school-history. They are in elite company as the '78 team went on to win the College Division National Title and the '79 team advancing to the National Quarterfinals.
Roanoke was outshot for the first time this season, 52-43, but won the groundball battle, 42-38 in addition to winning 21-of-30 face-offs. The Maroons were successful in 21-of-27 clear attempts and converted all three of their man-up opportunities. They are now 4-1 all-time against Dickinson since 2000.
Roanoke struck first as Matt Quinton scored just three minutes in before the Devils with a pair of goals from B.J. West and Ward Gruppo to make it 2-1. The teams traded back-to-back goals twice to give the Devils a 6-5 advantage at the end of the first period. It was the first time all season the Maroons were behind after the first quarter.
The Red Devils closed out the first with back-to-back goals and started the second quarter with three-straight to take the biggest lead of the game, 9-5 at the 7:52 mark. It was the largest deficit the Maroons have faced all season.
Roanoke came alive, scoring the next six goals by five different players. Noah Gibby started the run with an unassisted goal and Trey Keeley's goal tied the contest at nine-all with 5:50 remaining in the half. Quinton and Chas Carlsons' goals came within seven seconds of each other to pull in front 11-9 with two minutes left. Bobby Kingsleyfound the net with 22-seconds left in the half to make the score 11-10 at the break.
The teams proved to be a little more conservative in the second half, but not before Ted Sirvaitistied the game just 35 seconds into the third quarter. Casey Finkelsteinand Chris Dodsonfinished a 4-0 run for the Devils to put them in front 13-11 with 3:56 remaining in the third period. Quinton scored his fifth and final goal of the day to pull the Maroons within one at the 1:35 mark heading into the final stanza.
Roanoke tied the game early in the fourth period as senior Zach Thomas scored just 50-seconds in for his second goal of the game. Junior Pat March came around the crease to net what would be the game-winning goal at the 11:16 mark in the final period.
That would be all the scoring on the day as senior goalie Nick Peck stopped eight shots in the final quarter to finish with 13 on the afternoon. He came in late in the second quarter and came up big in the second half. Senior Russell Matthewsmade 16 saves, including five in the fourth quarter. Sam Love and Stephen Simmons were big once again for the defense, collecting four groundballs each and forcing four and three caused turnovers, respectively.
Quinton's game-high five goals led the way for Roanoke in addition to an assist. Brian Foley netted two goals and added an assist including seven groundballs. Thomas finished with two goals which puts him second all-time in career shots at Roanoke while Justin Tuma won 13-of-17 face-offs and controlled nine ground balls. Greg Khanzadian collected four groundballs and won 7-of-11 face-offs.
Sirvaitis led a balanced Dickinson attack with two goals and a pair of assists. Phil Caputo added two goals while Dodson tallied a goal and two assists. Chris Breslinand Al Golodanchored a solid defensive effort, each with five ground balls. John Haireturned in a strong performance as well, causing three turnovers.
Scouting the Ospreys
The Ospreys are 3-0 this season, having not started their season until March 11. Their most recent win came against ODAC-member Guilford, 11-5. They have also defeated Catholic, 9-8 and Moravian, 13-11 as they have played three games in the past week. They will square off against the Maroons in what will be RSU's fourth game in eight days. They are in a string of five of the next six games being played on the road.
About the Maroons
The Maroons come into this game with a record of 7-0, their best start since the 1978 and 1979 seasons. With a win against Richard Stockton, they will have the best start in school-history. The Maroons also enter this week with a #4 ranking on both the USILA coach's poll and the laxpower.com poll.
Roanoke is led offensively by Matt Quinton with 25 goals, 33 points, 56 shots, 40 shots on goal and five man-up goals. Chas Carlson's 11 assists also leads the Maroons. Justin Tuma's 44 groundballs, Greg Khanzadian's 68 face-off wins and Jake Dorsey's 69 saves anchors the defense.
Coach Pilat
Coach Bill Pilat enters his 21st on the Roanoke College sidelines where he has accumulated over 50 percent of the men's lacrosse program wins. Pilat is the winningest coach in school history with over 100 more wins than Paul Griffin (1973-81), who is second all-time at Roanoke. His win percentage of .663 is also the best in the history of the lacrosse program.
Pilat has earned his 200th win and is only the 13th coach in NCAA Division III to win 200 games. He is ranked among the top-20 all-time in win percentage. He is currently seventh among active coaches in career wins and 15th in win percentage. The longtime coach reigns among the best in ODAC History, ranked second in career wins and first in win percentage. A three-time VaSID coach of the Year (2005-07), Pilat is ranked second in state history in wins and first in win percentage as well (college division).
Record Watch
Zach Thomas is currently ninth on the all-time career points list with 194 points. He needs only three more to move into seventh, passing former National Player of the Year Chris Keating '06, who had 196 career points. His 118 career goals passed both Jeff Jones '97 and Kin Nevitt '77 for eighth on the all-time list. He needs three more to move into sixth, passing George Parks '78 who had 120 career goals. His 76 career assists is three shy of passing Dan Reed '05 for eighth all-time. His 184 career shots on goal passed Andy Bonasera '03 for second all-time.
Chas Carlson's 159 career points are two shy of passing JJ Blatt '95 for 16th all-time. He is also three assists shy of becoming only the fifth player at Roanoke to eclipse over 100 assists. His 135 shots on goal passed Will Goldthwait '90 for fifth all-time.
Pat March has 125 career points, is 22nd all-time and needs two more to move past Braxton Andrews '73 for 21st on the list. He is currently sixth on the career shots on goal list with 134, one behind teammate Chas Carlson.
Chasing History
With a win over Richard Stockton today, the Maroons will pass the 1978 & 79 teams with the best start in school-history. With history on their side, when the Maroons have started 7-0 the past two times, they have advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals or have won a National Championship (1978).
