#2 Kean University - 15, #3 Farmingdale State - 7
Union, N.J. - The third-seed Farmingdale State men's lacrosse team fell to #2 Kean University tonight, 15-7, in the Skyline Semifinals. The Rams end the season with a 8-6 record, while the Cougars advance to the Championship game against top-seed Montclair State, who is ranked #13 nationally.
A strong first period by Kean University saw them leading 6-0 over the first 14 minutes, before Farmingdale State freshman attack Tyler Rifice (Bohemia, N.Y.) broke the shutout in the final second off an assist from freshman midfielder Patrick Cowcer (East Northport, N.Y.) to end the period trailing 6-1.
Kean opened the second with a goal by senior attack Richard Chiefitz (Fair Lawn, N.J.), before Rams freshman defender Steven Marxhausen (Levittown, N.Y.) scored an unassisted goal, his first of the season to make it 7-2. The Cougars scored the next four goals to build up an 11-2 game with 6:32 left in the half, while Farmingdale State closed out the half with two scores to make it 11-4 at the break.
In the third, junior attack Tom Rotanz (Wading River, N.Y.) and junior attack Philip Schaefer (Holbrook, N.Y.) notched the only two goals of the period to cute the Farmingdale State deficit to 11-6, but Kean outscored the Rams 4-1 in the final period to secure the win.
Schaefer finished with a team-high two goals, while Cowcer tabbed a team-high two assists. Marxhausen posted a game-high four caused turnovers. Freshman goalkeeper Nicholas Fasano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) made 12 saves in defeat.
For Kean, Cheifitz and sophomore attack Matt Speciale (Hillsborough, N.J.) each scored three goals, while senior goalkeeper Dino Vitale (Ambler, Pa.) made 16 saves for the win.
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