By Reed Dempsey
Writer
The men’s lacrosse team collected a pair of wins against Albany and No. 18 Penn State this past week to extend its winning streak to seven straight games.
Coming off five straight victories, the Orange and Blue entered the week looking like a different team and continued to play at a high level.
“The team has great morale right now. Following the three straight losses to start the season, we’ve played incredible,” goalie Kyle Feeney ’13 said.
In their game against Albany, the defense held the Great Danes to just seven goals in a convincing 15-7 win.
Nick Gantsoudes ’12 led the Bison offense with six points (five goals, one assist), while Todd Heritage ’14 and Chase Bailey ’13 upped their season goal tallies with three apiece. David Dickson ’15 registered five assists, and Feeney increased his save percentage with a solid 12-save performance.
On March 27, the Bison faced a tougher test with a game against Penn State on the road. Over the first 14 minutes of play, the Orange and Blue held the Nittany Lions scoreless as goals by Billy Eisenreich ’12 and Heritage gave the Bison a two-goal advantage.
Less than a minute after Penn State cut the Bison lead in half, Peter Burke ’14 found the back of the net with four seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions battled back in the second quarter with three goals compared to just one from Bison.
Coming out of halftime tied at four, the Orange and Blue dominated the third quarter with two goals from Bailey and a single from Heritage, his second of the day. Bailey attributes the offensive success to efficiency and teamwork.
“The offensive play as of late has been awesome,” Bailey said. “The middies and the attack are working well together; we’re averaging more than 10 goals per game and we’re ranked by Inside Lacrosse as the most efficient offense in the country.”
To complement the scoring attack, the Bison defense stifled Penn State throughout the third, holding them scoreless on just two shots.
The speed of the defense coupled with better decision-making has been the difference as the Bison have turned their season around.
“[The defense] is flying around and making smart decisions, and it’s paying off,” Feeney said.
The Bison opened the fourth quarter with Burke’s second goal of the game and held the Nittany Lions of the board until the 10-minute mark.
Over the final 10 minutes, the Orange and Blue were held to just one shot, but Eisenreich made the most of it, scoring his 23rd of the year.
An increase in turnovers and failed clears plagued the Bison in the fourth quarter, but solid defensive play during man-down and six-on-six situations held Penn State in check. Feeney tied his season high with 13 saves in the 9-6 win.
The Bison look to extend their 10-game in-league winning streak tomorrow at Holy Cross.
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