Eagles Fade Following Early Lead to Saints
ARLINGTON, Va.- The Juniata men's lacrosse team carried a 4-3 lead through one period before falling to six goals in the second period and another six in the third period in a 17-7 defeat to Marymount on Tuesday night.
Aiden Duran posted three goals in the contest, claiming his third hat trick of the season, while Jonathan Montoya scored his first career goal. Beaux Wojciechowski and Charlie Newman each contributed a goal and two assists.
In defense, Matt McCleary collected five ground balls, while Reuben Stoll had four. Ryan Madison got the starting goaltending nod, saving 19 with a .559 save percentage through three periods before Griffin Umstead made five saves with a .714 save percentage in the final period.
Marymount was unsuccessful in finding the first goal after three shots in the first three minutes, then Montoya broke through on a long-range shot from the right side via a Wojciechowski pass back. Marymount controlled possession for the next few minutes and found the leveler with 7:30 remaining in the first. They found their second moments later to take the lead before Wojciechowski again acted as the supplier, coming from behind the goal and passing to Newman, sitting unmarked on the right side of the crease for a simple finish.
Marymount again drew the advantage, and Juniata again answered back: this time via a Vincent Bechler goal that came from a saved and deflected Newman shot. The final Juniata goal to carry the lead into the first-period break came via Duran with 40 seconds left on a drive from the left side from ten yards that beat the goaltender over his left shoulder.
Marymount was quick to halt the Eagles' momentum with five goals in the first seven minutes of the second half, carrying a 9-5 lead into the half. The lone goal of the period came from Wojciechowski to complete his three-point day. Marymount outshot Juniata 15-4 in the period.
The deficit only grew with six more unanswered from the Saints in the third period as they outshot the Eagles 19-1.
Duran found the first goal to open the scoring in the fourth period immediately upon returning from a timeout. He dodged past a pair of defenders a distance from the goal before beating one more a couple of yards from the goal, shooting past the goaltender.
The Saints quickly struck back with an unassisted run up the middle of the defense to get the lead back to ten.
A few minutes later, Juniata tacked on one more as Wojciechowski passed to an unmarked Duran in the center for a quick shot and goal from ten yards away to find his third hat trick of the season. Marymount tacked on one more before the final horn.
The Saints commanded possession of the game in nearly every category, outshooting Juniata 58-18, earning 48 ground balls to Juniata's 21, winning 22 of 28 faceoffs, and limiting turnovers to eight against the Eagles' 24. The Eagles executed 23 of 31 clears against 20 of 31 clears for Marymount.
The men's lacrosse team is back at Gibbel Stadium for a Friday night showdown with McDaniel at 7:00 p.m. to open spring break at Juniata.