Posted: Feb 25, 2012
Roanoke, which is 1-18 all-time against teams ranked #1 in the country, have only allowed 20 or more goals only three times in the last 17 years. All three times have come against Salisbury (2011, 2007, 2005) which was ranked #1 each time. In the 41-year history of the program, the Maroons have given up 20 or more goals just 20 times.
Keep in mind that of those 20 games, 12 came against Div. I teams which included three eventual national champions, two national finalists at that level. Five other times came against Div. III teams who were ranked #1 in the country and won the national championship. Two additional teams advanced to the national championship game.
The Sea Gulls outshot the Maroons, 51-32, including 36-21 in shots on goal. SU held advantages in face-offs won (20-10) and in groundballs (49-28) while successful in six of 13 extra-man opportunities.
Mike Hayden gave the Maroons their only lead of the game with his third goal of the season just over a minute into action. Over the next five minutes of play, Salisbury scored four unanswered goals to take the lead for good.
The Maroons took advantage of two man-up opportunities with goals from Joey Coretti and Hayden to make it a one-goal game with 3:31 left in the first quarter. Sam Bradman scored back-to-back goals to close the quarter and give the Sea Gulls a 6-3 advantage.
Roanoke was close with Salisbury in every category after the first quarter of play. SU held slight advantages in shots (12-11), shots on goal (9-8) and groundballs (12-11) while the face-offs were even with five each.
Erik Krum scored two of the ensuing three SU goals to stretch its lead to six, 9-3 with 7:41 to go before the half. Hayden scored his third goal of the half to stop the run, but the Sea Gulls scored three more times before heading into the locker room with a 12-4 lead.
Salisbury outscored Roanoke, 9-0 in the third to spread the game wide open and take a commanding 21-4 lead. Drew Bracken scored off an assist from Hayden in the fourth quarter for the Maroons final goal of the contest.
Hayden led the Maroons attack with team-bests of three goals, two assists and six groundballs. Connor DuBois had an assist and five groundballs, followed by Brayden Gerrie and Jeff Keating with four groundballs each.
Charles Pease had 10 saves for Roanoke in 37 minutes while Mike Hardon totaled four saves in 18 second-half minutes.
The men will return home on Thursday, March 1 to host Adrian College in non-conference action before spring break. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Kerr Stadium.
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