WASHINGTON, D.C.-Freshman attacker Robby Napp (Spring Lake, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) capped off a game-high four-goal performance with an unassisted goal with 1:57 remaining in overtime to lift The University of Scranton men's lacrosse team past Catholic University, 9-8, Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Royals improve to 7-5 overall and secured one of four spots for the upcoming Landmark Conference tournament with a 4-1 league record. Scranton has now qualified for a post-season tournament in each of Kevin Dugan's three seasons as head coach.

Scranton overcame a 7-5 halftime deficit by holding the Cardinals to just one goal in the final 33:03 of play. The Royals, who held a 39-27 advantage in shots, also received a goal and an assist from senior attacker Nick Youngstrom (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) and freshman midfielder Mike Rufo (Broomall, Pa./Haverford School) and a goal apiece from freshman attacker Brett Greer (Morton, Pa./Ridley), sophomore midfielder J.P. Barton (North Brunswick, N.J./St. Joseph Metuchen), and sophomore attacker Robert Pantages (Roseland, N.J./West Essex).

Jimmy Bitonti, Jimmy Sinnott, and Tyler Catalani finished with two goals apiece for Catholic University, now 7-7 overall and 1-4 in the Landmark Conference. Tied 5-5 midway through the second period, the Cardinals, behind goals by Sinnott and Bitonti in the final five minutes, built up a 7-5 advantage by intermission. Their last game of the game, however, would come with 7:21 left in the third period, unassisted, by Catalani, to break a 7-7 deadlock.

Napp tied it up with a goal off a play set up by Youngstrom with 12:08 left in the fourth period. His game-winning goal in overtime was his second of the season. He currently leads Scranton in goals with 27 and total points with 33.

Sophomore goalie Jeremy Dowiak (Hackettstown, N.J./West Morris) stopped nine shots while Catholic's Seth McKenna was credited with a game-high 13.

The Royals and Goucher College are currently tied for second place in the Landmark Conference, a half-game behind the United States Merchant Marine Academy. After hosting back-yard neighbor Marywood University this Tuesday, April 21, at Fitzpatrick Field at 7:00 p.m., Scranton will close out its Landmark Conference regular season next Saturday, April 25, against Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

2009-04-19