Farmingdale State - 11, New Paltz - 8
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State men's lacrosse team defeated New Paltz, 11-8, on Wednesday afternoon to pick up a win in their home opener. The FSC (1-1) defense led the way allowing just two second half goals and forcing New Paltz into 30 turnovers in the matchup. The Rams recorded 15 caused turnovers, to just three for the Hawks, and did not allow a goal in the fourth quarter.
Farmingdale State trailed 1-0 late into the first quarter before senior midfielder Johnny McMahon (Albertson, N.Y.) registered a goal with 3:52 on the clock.
With the score 2-2 heading into the second, senior Rob Varello (Smithtown, N.Y.) tallied his second goal of the game only 1:05 into the quarter to put Farmingdale State ahead by one.
New Paltz (0-2) responded with goals by midfielders Anthony Senecal and Aiden Jones to take a 4-3 advantage.
Senior midfielder Jack Gilbride (East Moriches, N.Y.) tied the game at 4-4 off the feed from sophomore midfielder Steven DiCarlo (Farmingdale, N.Y.), but the Hawks regained the lead with back-to-back scores from Senecal and Ryan Scully.
FSC sophomore midfielder Griffin Chernoff (Long Beach, N.Y.) registered a man-up score prior to the break as they were down 6-5 at halftime.
After New Paltz scored just 1:16 into the third quarter to go up by two, junior attacker Thomas Stock (Selden, N.Y.) and McMahon both scored to even the game at 7-7.
Still tied at 8-8, DiCarlo scored his first goal of the season, unassisted, to put FSC in front for the first time since early in the second quarter.
New Paltz won the ensuing faceoff and sophomore goalie Dan Erler (Smithtown, N.Y.) made a save to gain possession for FSC. After clearing the ball, senior attack Jake Wandle (Rocky Point, N.Y.) scored to give the Rams a two-goal lead at 10-8.
Farmingdale State's final goal came with seven minutes on the clock. Sophomore defender Christian Lembo (Farmingdale, N.Y.) caused a New Paltz turnover before senior defender Gino Luchetti (Farmingville, N.Y.) gained possession. Luchetti tossed the ball to the goalkeeper Erler who fired the ball towards an empty Hawks net and in.
Erler made one more save for the Rams down the stretch as he finished with 11 stops in the 11-8 non-conference victory.
FSC senior defender Jonathan Flores (West Babylon, N.Y.) led the team with five caused turnovers, while Lembo had three. Luchetti had one caused turnover and picked up a team-high six ground balls.
On offense, the Rams were led by McMahon, who finished with three goals and one assist. Varello tallied two goals and both Wandle and DiCarlo recorded a goal and an assist each. Stock, Gilbride and Chernoff added a goal apiece in the win.
Senecal tallied three goals for New Paltz, while goalkeeper Ryan Steinhart made 17 saves.
The Rams will next play host to non-conference opponent Hartwick College on Saturday, March 4th at 12:00 p.m.
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