SANFORD, FLA. - The nationally second-ranked Cortland men's lacrosse team opened up a 9-5 halftime lead and held on late to defeat Clarkson, 13-11, Saturday afternoon at Sylvan Lake Park in Sanford, Fla. The Red Dragons improved to 4-0 with the win, while the Golden Knights suffered their first loss and fell to 2-1.

Junior Brandon Misiaszek (New Hartford) led the Red Dragons with a career-high four goals. Freshman Mike Tota (Webster/Webster Schroeder) had three goals and an assist, sophomore Chris DeLuca (Sayville) scored three goals, sophomore Jay DiStefano (Huntington/Harborfields) contributed a career-best four assists and freshman Greg Wright (Irondequoit) chipped in with a goal and an assist. Juniors Tom Burke (Massapequa) and Brian Krol (Niskayuna) each netted a goal. Senior goalie Matt Hipenbecker (Mountain Lakes, NJ) stopped nine shots.

DeLuca also won 14-of-20 faceoffs, while freshman Justin Battino (Plainview) won 5-of-6. Burke and sophomore Eric Parah (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) each collected six ground balls for the Red Dragons.

Senior attackman Tom Ross (Adams, NY/South Jefferson)led Clarkson with four goals, while classmate Greg Gibbons (Baldwinsville, NY/CW Baker)tallied three goals and two assists. Senior defenseman Andrew Kott (Auburn, NY/Auburn) picked up a game-high 11 groundballs for the Knights.

Clarkson jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter, but the Red Dragons responded by outscoring the Golden Knights, 8-1, in the second quarter for a 9-5 lead at intermission. The teams split four goals in the third quarter and the Red Dragons tallied the first score of the fourth for a 12-7 lead. Clarkson, however, rallied for three straight goals and trailed 12-10 before Cortland stopped the run with a goal for a 13-10 lead late in the game. After a Cortland shot hit the pipe, the Golden Knights gained possession and scored inside of two minutes to pull to within 13-11. Cortland was able to run out most of the remaining clock to hold on for the win.

The Red Dragons held big advantages in shots and ground balls in the game and outscored Clarkson, 2-0, in man-up situations. Cortland returns to action on Saturday, Mar. 21, when it hosts unbeaten Ithaca at 1:00 p.m.

Team (Record) 1-2-3-4 Final
Cortland (4-0) 1-8-2-2 13
Clarkson (2-1) 4-1-2-4 11

Scoring (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Brandon Misiaszek 4-0, Mike Tota 3-1, Chris DeLuca 3-0, Greg Wright 1-1, Tom Burke 1-0, Brian Krol 1-0, Jay DiStefano 0-4, Joey Morgan 0-1
Clarkson: Tom Ross 4-0, Greg Gibbons 3-2, Bryan Huff 1-1, Jon Cathcart 1-1, Tyler Long 1-0, Erik Hilfinger 1-0, Brian Hoey 0-1

Goalkeepers:
Cortland: Matt Hipenbecker, 9 saves (11 GA in 60:00)
Clarkson: John Svoren, 13 saves (13 GA in 60:00)
Shots: Cortland 43, Clarkson 28
Ground Balls: Cortland 52, Clarkson 43
Clears: not available
Faceoffs Won: Cortland 19, Clarkson 8
Penalties: not available
Extra-Man Offense: Cortland 2-4, Clarkson 0-5

2009-03-14