Farmingdale State - 18, Manhattanville - 11
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | The Farmingdale State men's lacrosse team defeated Skyline Conference opponent Manhattanville College, 18-11, on Saturday behind seven goals and three assists from senior attack Rob Varello (Smithtown, N.Y.). His 10 points on the day ranks tied for third all-time for a single game in program history, while his seven goals is tied for fourth. The Rams improved to 12-3 on the year and 3-2 in Skyline play with the win.
It was Senior Day at FSC and a special pre-game ceremony was held for seniors Jonathan Flores (West Babylon, N.Y.), Jack Gilbride (East Moriches, N.Y.), Tyler Cardinali (Seaford, N.Y.), John Carnevale (East Meadow, N.Y.), Ryan Ott (Riverhead, N.Y.), Hunter Lyons (East Islip, N.Y.), Gino Luchetti (Farmingville, N.Y.), Varello, Jake Wandle (Rocky Point, N.Y.), Nick Bucholz (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Johnny McMahon (Albertson, N.Y.).
The Rams came out strong offensively as Wandle and Varello scored two goals apiece in the first 5:45 of the contest to put FSC up, 4-0.
Manhattanville (5-9, 1-4 Skyline) responded with three unanswered scores over the next four minutes to quickly cut their deficit to just one at 4-3.
Varello recorded two goals prior to the end of the first quarter and one more to open the second to put Farmingdale State back on top by four, 7-3.
The Valiants outscored the Rams 3-1 in the final 10 minutes of the half as FSC held an 8-6 lead at the break.
Neither team scored over the first 7:37 of the third quarter as the game remained 8-6.
Junior attack Thomas Stock (Selden, N.Y.) followed with back-to-back goals, both off the feed from Varello, to put Farmingdale State in front, 10-6.
With 5:19 on the clock, Wandle scored off the pass from junior midfielder Kyle Kolano (Babylon, N.Y.) before Gilbride recorded an unassisted goal to give the Rams a six-goal advantage, 12-6.
Varello registered his eighth and ninth points at the start of the fourth quarter as he and Stock set each other up for goals.
FSC took a 15-6 lead after a goal by Wandle just over a minute later.
Leading 15-7 with 10 minutes to play, Varello Gilbride and Kolano each scored unassisted to take an 11-goal lead, 18-7.
The Valiants added four goals in the final 4:24, but Farmingdale State would go on for the 18-11 victory.
Stock recorded three goals and three assists for six points, to go along with five ground balls and one caused turnover. Wandle finished with four goals and one assist and is now just seven goals away from the all-time record held by Ryan LaFlare (131 goals - 2004-07).
Gilbride registered two goals, one assist and two ground balls and Kolano tallied one goal and two assists. McMahon produced a goal, one assist, three caused turnovers and six ground balls.
Junior Antonio Kaminskey (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) went 20-for-30 on faceoffs and picked up a season-high 17 ground balls.
On defense, Luchetti and sophomore Christian Lembo (Farmingdale, N.Y.) each had two caused turnovers.
Sophomore goalkeeper Dan Erler (Smithtown, N.Y.) (W, 11-3) made six saves in net to pick up his 11th win of the season.
Farmingdale State next heads on the road to play Purchase College on Tuesday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m.
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