Men's Lacrosse Closes Out Regular Season With Win Over Hartwick

Steve Jaynes - SID

Eric Pritchard recorded seven points in Saturday's win

| 4/21/2007 5:04:30 PM

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ONEONTA, NY -- The RIT men's lacrosse team closed out the regular season in fine fashion with a 14-8 win at Hartwick College. The win improves RIT to 12-2 overall and clinches the third seed in the upcoming Empire 8 Tournament.

The Tigers offense took a while to get on track scoring just one goal in the first quarter. Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) (Webster, NY) gave RIT a 1-0 lead early in the first on an assist from Scott Farress (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) (Webster, NY).

The Hawks answered with two straight goals, leading 2-1 after the first quarter. Brian Miller made it 3-1 with his even-strength goal at 13:03 of the second quarter.

RIT's offense got on track in the second quarter, scoring six times. Five different players scored for the Tigers including Wes Adam (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) (Lafayette, NY), Pritchard, Dave DeMuth (Jordan, NY/Jordan Elbridge) (Jordan, NY/Jordan-Elbridge), Dan Rago (Geneva, NY) and Scott Farress (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder).

RIT's defense allowed five goals in the first half, helping RIT to a 7-5 lead at the half.

The Tigers took control in the second half. The offense scored seven goals and the defense clamped down, allowing three goals.

Andrew Ruocco (Corning, NY/Corning East) (Corning, NY/Corning East) and Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) each had a pair of goals in the second half.

The Tigers won 6-of-10 face-offs in the second half and out shot the Hawks 23-13.

Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) had a solid day versus Hartwick, tallying seven points on three goals and four assists. Daniel Rago (Geneva, NY/Geneva) had three goals and Andy Ruocco (Corning, NY/Corning East) added two goals and an assist.

Four players had four ground balls for RIT led by Jacob Brunner (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) (Lafayette, NY) who also won 15-of-23 face-offs.

John Foley (Arthur, ON/Our Lady of Lourdes) (Arthur, ON/Our Lady of Lourdes) picked up his 12th win of the season, making six saves and allowing eight goals.