In DII action, Mercy College (15-1) advances to the first Final Four in University History with a Nail-biting, 11-10 victory of the Seton Hill Griffins (13-7).
Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly– A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
To the Contest:
#5 Seton Hill and #1 Mercy College met up in a quarter final affair at SUNY Puchase in Purchase, New York.
The opening quarter was a tight defensive affair that only witnessed a trio of markers. Senior, Jack Gibbons set up Dominic Scorcia for his first of four markers after a scoreless, 3:56. Graduate student, Robert LoRicco (2g,1a), punched in his 5th with 5:59 remaining making it a 2-0 game. Andy Davis found Jeremy Sforzo (1g) to cut the lead and end the opening quarter.
End of First: 2-1 Mercy.
To the Second:
The defense for each team continued to be the story with just four goals. The Mercy Mavericks started to pull away. TJ Heyder (2a) hitting Jack Gibbons (1g,3 helpers) after neither team scoring for a total of 8:17. LoRicco nailed his 6th but Zack Estabrooks (1g), stopped the mini scoring run. Scorcia put home his second of the half and 46th of the season to bring the curtain down on the half
End of Two- Mercy in front, 5-2.
Second Half:
Things picked up goal wise in the second half started by a three goal run from the Hill started :56 in with Layne Harich picking up his first of three assists on a Thomas Hanulak (3g,1a) marker. Harper McGarrity (2g) followed thirty two seconds later, Andy Davis (2g,2a) knotted it up. Brady Kearnan (3g,2a) for Mercy and David St.Clair (1g) for Seton Hill exchanged net benders with Scorcia netting his hat-trick on a man up tally to end the first 45:00.
End of Three: Mercy Still Barely in Control, 7-6.
Who Wants to Go to the Final Four?
A frantic fourth saw a wild score fest started by Scorcia netting his game high fourth. McGariity answered with his 43rd a minute nineteen later
It would take only 36 ticks for Davis to hit Hanulak and, back in familiar territory with another tie, 8-8. Thirty six seconds after the Hanulak goal, Kearnan potted his 35th. The Griffins brushed that off to get it even yet again with Hanulak getting his third. With just 5:35 to play, Andrew Calabria (1g) pushed the score the Mercy way. Kearnan nailed his hat trick and his 36th with 3:27 remaining to make it a two goal Mavs advantage. Hanulak did the work for Davis’ second at 1:36. Logan Gray won the draw for Seton Hill but, two shots missed the mark and Mercy held on.
Schtuff:
• Stats wise, it was close with Seton Hill having the edge in shots, 48-45. Mercy put more on net, 25-23. Turnovers had 14 for the Griffins and 11 for Mercy. Mercy handled the ground balls, 31-28.
• Faceoffs went 16-8 for Seton Hill with Logan Gray picking up 16 of 24. EMO’s had Seton Hill shut out in their two tries, 0 for 2, while Mercy cashed in once in three chances. Kevin Mo made 14 saves in defeat with Tommy Umano stopping 13 for the win.
• Mercy takes on LeMoyne in the Final Four match. Game time is 1PM EST on May 22nd.
Mercy Moves to DII Semi-Finals
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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