Rams Fall in Championship Game to Montclair State
#2 Montclair State - 9, #1 Farmingdale State - 7
Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State men's lacrosse team fell 9-7 to #2 seed Montclair State today in the Skyline Conference Championship game held in Farmingdale, N.Y. The Rams finish the year with a program-best 10-5 overall record, while Montclair (11-4) grabbed the conferences automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Farmingdale State went up 2-0 quickly in the first with goals by senior attack Wes Hubschmitt (Seaford, N.Y.) and junior attack Ryan Oswald (Floral Park, N.Y.). The Red Hawks tied it at 2-2 with two goals from Tournament MVP junior attack Tyler Meth (Basking Ridge, N.J.).
In the second period, Montclair freshman midfielder Anthony Rybek (Old Bridge, N.J.) gave his team the first lead of the day, 3-2, with an unassisted goal at 10:59. Rams junior attack Bill McGarvey (Sayville, N.Y.) evened the score at 3-3 on a pass from junior midfielder Jason Opitz (West Hempstead, N.Y.).
Hubschmitt scored his second of the day just a minute later, to make it 4-3 Farmingdale State, but the Red Hawks scored three straight to gain the 6-4 advantage. Just before the half, junior midfielder Shannon Robinson (Freeport, N.Y.) put the Rams within one on a shot from the top of the box.
Meth scored the only goal of the third period to give Montclair a 7-5 lead with 15 minutes left to play and the Red Hawks would hold on for the victory and their second straight Skyline Conference Title.
Senior goalkeeper Brian Nerney (Massapequa, N.Y.) made 11 saves in defeat, while Montclair junior goalkeeper Mark Glander (Vernon, N.J.) stopped 13 saves for the win.
Hubschmitt finished the day with two goals, three assists, seven ground balls and four caused turnovers. Sophomore defender Ricky Morales (Holtsville, N.Y.) caused three turnovers and freshman midfielder Al Rocco (Elmont, N.Y.) won 10-of-19 on the faceoffs.
Montclair State will now await for their opponent for the First Round game, which will be played on May 11th, at a site to be determined.
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