Mules Stiffle Royals in Non-Conference Action

SCRANTON, Pa.-Muhlenberg scored twice early in the fourth period to break away from a one-goal lead en route to a 6-3 victory over Scranton in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Field.

Sophomore midfielder Jon Thomas (Manhassat, NY/Manhassat) led the Mules, now 2-2, with two goals and an assist, and senior attacker Jack Reilly (Boonton, Township, NJ/Mountain Lakes), senior midfielder Doug Rheimer (Wycombe, Pa./Council Rock North), sophomore attacker Jason Mertz (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge), and senior midfielder Michael Carpetto (Westfield, NJ/St. Joseph) chipped in one goal apiece.

Scranton, which fell to 1-2, received two goals from junior midfielder Matt Tibbitts (West Hartford, Conn./Conard), a goal from freshman midfielder Alec Mikrut (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery), and two assists from senior attacker Taylor Nelson (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East).

The Mules continually frustrated the Royals throughout the afternoon, building up a 2-1 lead in the first period and 3-1 advantage by intermission. They methodically ran their sets on offense and managed to kill all four of Scranton's extra-man opportunities, including a 3-minute non-releasable penalty in the second period.

Tibbitts gave the Royals' some much-needed momentum when he opened the fourth period with a goal on a play set up by Nelson to cut the Mules' lead to one, 3-2.

Mertz then answered less than two minutes later after receiving a crisp pass from Thomas and Thomas added another goal, this time unassisted, moments later as Muhlenberg regained the momentum to take a 5-2 lead. With 3:12 left Carpetto added another goal for Muhlenberg before Tibbets set the final score a minute later on another play set up by Nelson.

Sophomore goalkeeper Adam Schlauch (Tewksbury, NJ/Rutgers Preparatory) finished with 11 saves for Muhlenberg while Scranton's Ben Worthington (Jenkintown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) stopped 11 shots.

The Mules, who avenged an 8-7 loss in four overtimes to Scranton in last year's game, held a commanding 46-22 advantage in ground balls.

2013-03-02