| 4/30/2006 5:39:42 PM

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ITHACA, NY -- Coming into today's Empire 8 Men's Lacrosse Tournament title game RIT had not beaten Ithaca since 2000. That changed on Sunday as the sixth ranked Tigers defeated the Bombers 11-8, winning the Empire 8 title and an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. RIT controlled the ball over the final 10 minutes of the game to maintain their three-goal lead. Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster) (Webster, NY/Webster) led RIT with five goals.

RIT took control of the game in the first quarter, outscoring Ithaca 4-0. Andrew Ruocco (Corning, NY/Corning East) (Corning, NY/Corning East) gave RIT a 1-0 lead with an unassisited goal at the 11:37 mark of the quarter.

Sophomore middie Wes Adam (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) rifled a shot past Ithaca goalie Dennis Butler, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

Eric Pritcard took a feed from David Thering (Fairport, NY/Fairport) (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and scored the first of his five goals on the afternoon, making it 3-0.

Thering came off a screen and took a feed from Joe Argese (Jordan, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) (Jordan, NY/Jordan-Elbridge), scoring his lone goal of the afternoon, making it 4-0 RIT. Thering finished with four points on a goal and three assists.

RIT's defense was stellar in the opening quarter, shutting out Ithaca and holding the Bombers to five shots.

Just as in the first game between these two teams, Ithaca stormed back in the second quarter, scoring for straight goals, tying the score at 4-4 on an unassisted goal by Logan Bobzien.

The Tigers responded with another goal from Adam with 3:40 remaining in the half, giving RIT a 5-4 lead and the momentum heading into halftime.

Ithaca quickly got on the board to open the second half, tying the score at 5-5 on an even-strength goal by Matt Nelligan.

The Tigers responded with two straight goals from Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster), one on an assist from Ruocco and the other unassisted, giving RIT a two-goal lead.

Matt Pugliese pulled the Bombers to within a goal at 7-6 with his unassisted goal at 7:49 of the third quarter.

Pritchard whistled a shot passed Butler's ear for his fourth goal of the afternoon and an 8-6 RIT lead.

Ruocco made it 9-6 on a nice move around his defender and a well-placed shot, netting his second goalof the game.

Ithaca's Doug Lamb and Matt Nelligan each scored inside the final minute of the third quarter, pulling the Bombers to within a goal at 9-8.

That would be the final goals Ithaca would score as RIT shut out the Bombers in the final quarter, led by John Foley (Guelph, ON/Our Lady of Lourdes) (Guelph, ON.Our ldy of Lourdes) who made three big saves.

He and his defense were outstanding on Sunday, making 11 saves and allowing just eight goals.

Scott Farress (Webster, NY/Webster) (Webster, NY/Webster) and Pritchard each scored a goal in the fourth quarter to give the Tigers an 11-8 lead.

RIT's offense maintained possession over the final 10 minutes to keep Ithaca out of their offensive end of the field. The Tigers patiently worked the ball around, playing keep away.

The win over Ithaca clinches a spot for RIT in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000 when they lost to Middlebury in the quarter finals. It will be the 11th time overall RIT has competed in the NCAA Tournament.