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Drew Pitches Shutout Versus Scranton
MADISON, N.J.-Drew men's lacrosse stepped up to a key challenge by shutting out the Scranton Royals, 10-0. Mike Celentano celebrated Senior Day by making 12 saves and four other seniors scored goals as Drew clinched third seed in the Landmark playoffs with the win. Junior Jon Bucknam had a huge game with two goals and five assists. It is the first shutout recorded by the Rangers since a win over Stevens, on 3-14-94.
The Rangers came out flying in the first period. There were shades of Jeff Sayers in '08 in the Rangers' first goal as Mike Riccardi made his mark on his Senior Day by scoring an unlikely early goal that set a positive tone for the day. Mike Sayers had already hit a post and Sean McNulty had already drawn a save out of Jeremy Dowiak before Riccardi got the Rangers on the board.
Bucknam had camped behind the net and was clearly waiting for someone to get open. Riccardi got free through the center and quick-sticked home for a perfect finish. The goal is Riccardi's sixth of his career and his only game-winner as the Ranger defense would make that goal stand up for the next 58 minutes.
The Rangers made it 2-0 as Sean McNulty scored a beauty. The senior blew past his defender behind the net to get some space five meters from the net. Though he was moving away from the net and got hit significantly enough to have drawn a penalty, McNulty fired past a stunned Scranton keeper.
The goal was McNulty's 67 of his career in Green and Blue and it marked a milestone game for the captain. McNulty, Celentano and Jon Dowiak each appeared in their 62nd game of their career, tying the Drew record held by the illustrious Jim Lyons, Jason Allocco and the All-American Dave DeRiso.
The ensuing faceoff was won by Jon Dowiak. The senior, who took over first place in the Rangers' record book for career ground balls in the previous game, collected the ground ball as well to set up a possession that ended in a 3-0 Ranger lead. Greg Reading skipped a long range shot past the keeper with 7:30 left in the half for his 13th goal of the season.
The Rangers had to wait another seven minutes to get the fourth goal, but that just allowed time for Mike Celentano and the defense to get into the game. Celentano made four saves in the first period including a nice stop on Christopher Dugan and a deflection on Kyle Frank's close range attempt.
The Rangers had a final possession in the first period, but seemed as though they would allow the clock to run out. Drew's offense was running at a higher gear than it had all season so Mike Sayers' decision to try and get one more was a wise one. The junior dodged his defender on the right side before whipping a pass across the face of goal to Robertson “Rex” Riley. T-Rex went low to high to bury Drew's fourth of the game with just four seconds left.
Everything was coming up Ranger as the start of the second period showed. Jon Bucknam picked up a ground ball after Dowiak won another faceoff, but had his shot denied by his younger brother in net for the Royals. Bucknam laid off a pass to Mike DeGiovanni in the middle. Even with the pole, DeGiovanni's finish was first class and effortless for second of the season.
Two minutes later, Celentano came up with one the best saves of the day. In one of the few times Drew's defense was at all inadequate in the game, Celentano made a kick save on Nick Younstrom's one-on-one breakaway attempt.
After Drew killed off a penalty, the Bucknam to Riley connection gave the Rangers a 6-0 lead. With Bucknam again behind the goal, he found a cutting Riley near the crease. The catch was nearly as impressive as the shot as Riley bounced home for his second of the game.
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The Rangers came out flying in the first period. There were shades of Jeff Sayers in '08 in the Rangers' first goal as Mike Riccardi made his mark on his Senior Day by scoring an unlikely early goal that set a positive tone for the day. Mike Sayers had already hit a post and Sean McNulty had already drawn a save out of Jeremy Dowiak before Riccardi got the Rangers on the board.
Bucknam had camped behind the net and was clearly waiting for someone to get open. Riccardi got free through the center and quick-sticked home for a perfect finish. The goal is Riccardi's sixth of his career and his only game-winner as the Ranger defense would make that goal stand up for the next 58 minutes.
The Rangers made it 2-0 as Sean McNulty scored a beauty. The senior blew past his defender behind the net to get some space five meters from the net. Though he was moving away from the net and got hit significantly enough to have drawn a penalty, McNulty fired past a stunned Scranton keeper.
The goal was McNulty's 67 of his career in Green and Blue and it marked a milestone game for the captain. McNulty, Celentano and Jon Dowiak each appeared in their 62nd game of their career, tying the Drew record held by the illustrious Jim Lyons, Jason Allocco and the All-American Dave DeRiso.
The ensuing faceoff was won by Jon Dowiak. The senior, who took over first place in the Rangers' record book for career ground balls in the previous game, collected the ground ball as well to set up a possession that ended in a 3-0 Ranger lead. Greg Reading skipped a long range shot past the keeper with 7:30 left in the half for his 13th goal of the season.
The Rangers had to wait another seven minutes to get the fourth goal, but that just allowed time for Mike Celentano and the defense to get into the game. Celentano made four saves in the first period including a nice stop on Christopher Dugan and a deflection on Kyle Frank's close range attempt.
The Rangers had a final possession in the first period, but seemed as though they would allow the clock to run out. Drew's offense was running at a higher gear than it had all season so Mike Sayers' decision to try and get one more was a wise one. The junior dodged his defender on the right side before whipping a pass across the face of goal to Robertson “Rex” Riley. T-Rex went low to high to bury Drew's fourth of the game with just four seconds left.
Everything was coming up Ranger as the start of the second period showed. Jon Bucknam picked up a ground ball after Dowiak won another faceoff, but had his shot denied by his younger brother in net for the Royals. Bucknam laid off a pass to Mike DeGiovanni in the middle. Even with the pole, DeGiovanni's finish was first class and effortless for second of the season.
Two minutes later, Celentano came up with one the best saves of the day. In one of the few times Drew's defense was at all inadequate in the game, Celentano made a kick save on Nick Younstrom's one-on-one breakaway attempt.
After Drew killed off a penalty, the Bucknam to Riley connection gave the Rangers a 6-0 lead. With Bucknam again behind the goal, he found a cutting Riley near the crease. The catch was nearly as impressive as the shot as Riley bounced home for his second of the game.
2009-04-25
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