Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/12/14
From Press Release
Nick Trizano scored three times and Drexel had seven goals from its seniors as the Dragons defeated No. 14 UMass on Senior Day, 13-9. The Dragons (8-4, 3-1) won for the fourth straight time and clinched a spot in the upcoming Colonial Athletic Association tournament. The Minutemen fell to 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the CAA.
Drexel never trailed in the game, but it was close the entire way. The Dragons took the lead for good early in the second period when All-American candidate Ben McIntosh does what he does best. The senior took multiple hits as he headed towards the cage, but held on and fired a shot from in close past the UMass keeper.
The goal put Drexel ahead, 6-5. The game had been tied on four occasions in the first half. The Dragons added two more goals in the second period to go ahead by three goals. Ryan Belka scored an unassisted goal with just under four minutes to play. The junior then set up Nick Trizano on the man-up just a minute and a half later. Belka fed Trizano up top, and the senior fired a shot from about 15 yards out.
The Minutemen cut the lead to 8-6 right before halftime on a Connor Mooney goal with just 28 seconds left in the half. UMass made it a one-goal game just 40 seconds into the third quarter. Rob Lynott found Mooney for his second straight goal.
That would be the only goal of the quarter and also be the closest the Minutemen would get the rest of the way. Drexel scored three unassisted goals in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to take control of the game. Belka, Jules Raucci (Garnet Valley) and Trizano put the Dragons ahead by an 11-7 score. UMass finally broke the drought with a man-up goal from Grant Consoletti at the 9:08 mark of the frame. The Dragons put the game away when McIntosh scored with eight minutes to go and got an insurance goal from Trizano with less than two minutes to go. The Minutemen closed the scoring when Mooney completed a hat trick in the closing seconds.
Drexel’s seniors went out on a winning note as they clinched their third CAA playoff spot in their four years in University City. Jared Bourdreau, Matt Dusek, Tyler Houchins (La Salle), Jason Klunder (Conestoga), Ben McIntosh, Deven Thomas and Nick Trizano made their final regular-season home appearance.
Boudreau scored the first two goals of the game for the Dragons. McIntosh had a pair of goals to tie Colin Ambler for 13th on Drexel’s career goals list. Trizano had his 11th career hat trick and now has 74 career goals. He is tied for 20th all-time in goals at the school. Dusek scooped up six ground balls.
Will Gabrielsen had a solid game in the cage for the Dragons. The sophomore made 13 saves including a number from close in. Nick Saputo won 14 of 25 face-offs for Drexel, including going 7-for-9 in the second half. The Dragons were victorious despite getting outshot (36-33) and committing 18 turnovers, 11 of which came in the second half. Belka added two goals and one assist.
Zach Oliveri had nine saves before being replaced in the final minute for the Minutemen. Mooney had two assists to go with his three goals. Consoletti had a pair of goals and a pair of assists for UMass, who will face Hofstra at home next Saturday.
The Dragons play their final two games on the road. On Saturday, Drexel will visit Towson it its final CAA contest at 7 p.m. The Dragons close the regular season at High Point on Friday, April 25.
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