ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's lacrosse team won the ECAC Upstate Lacrosse Championship with an 11-4 win over St. John Fisher College in the title game on Sunday afternoon. RIT's Eric Pritchard (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) had four goals and an assist, winning MVP honors.

The Tigers ripped off three straight goals early in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. Chris Ferry (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead on an assist from Andrew Ruocco (Corning, NY/Corning East).

On the ensuing face-off Jacob Brunner (Lafayette, NY) won the draw, drove to the net and fed Pritchard for the first of his four goals on the afternoon giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

Phil Davenport (New Market, MD/Linganore) made it 3-0 with the first of his two goals on the day.

Matt Hargather broke the run by the Tigers with his even-strength goal, making it 3-1 RIT.

Dave DeMuth (Jordan, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) scored RIT's lone goal of the second quarter on an assist from Pritchard, increasing RIT's lead to 4-1.

Jason Brannigan made it 4-2 RIT with an even-strength goal late in the half.

Chris Schmidt and Hargather scored consecutive goals for the Cardinals, tying the score at 4-4 early in the third quarter.

However, Hargather's goal at 10:53 of the third quarter would the last goals the Cardinals would score as RIT's defense stiffened, holding St. John Fisher scoreless for the final 25:53 of the game.

Pritchard had three staright goals for RIT to break the game open and allow RIT to pull away. Phil Davenport, Ruocco and Ferry closed out the scoring for the Tigers who finish the season with a 14-3 record.

John Foley (Arthur, ON/Our Lady of Lourdes) picked up his 14th win of the season, making eight saves. Pritchard had 10 points on the weekend on five goals and five assists, winning the MVP award.

Jacob Brunner won 9-of-17 face-offs, had a team-high eight ground balls and picked up an assist. Jacob Tuller (Corning, NY/Corning East) had five ground balls and led a stifling RIT defensive unit.

2007-05-13