Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/16/25 – From Press Release
In a matchup that hasn’t been played since 2007, Tommy Gross posted 19 saves as the host Saint Joseph’s men’s lacrosse team claimed its fifth consecutive victory Saturday by defeating Villanova, 12-8, on Sweeney Field.
Philly grads played key roles on defense for the Hawks. Close defender Liam Quinn (Downingtown East) anchored the defense and had two groundballs, while d-middies Christian Marchini (Spring-Ford, 3GB, 2CT) and Aidan Kreydt (Springfield-Delco, 1GB, 1CT) had big days. Defenseman Michael Waite (Downingtown East) had a groundball and attackman Jack McGorry (Allentown Central Catholic) had a caused turnover.
For Villanova, Colin Michener (Penn Charter) had three goals, his brother and linemate on attack Gavin Michener (Penn Charter) scored once and Ryan Cunningham (Salesianum) won 16 of 23 faceoffs. Also, Peter Hewitt (Conestoga) and Brett Mallee (La Salle) each had a groundball and a caused turnover,
The Hawks move to 5-2, dropping the Wildcats to 2-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening period was dominated by the Crimson and Gray, Richie LaCalandra opening the game with a goal inside four minutes to give St. Joe’s an early lead.
Ben Dutton tucked away his first of the game after a feed from Jesse Jason to double the Hawk advantage inside eight minutes.
After the Wildcats earned a goal back, the Hawks closed out the first quarter with a goal from Mark Watters before defenseman Levi Verch made his way into the attack and finished from close range to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes.
Dutton tallied his second shortly after the second quarter restart before Tyler Moore capitalized on an extra-man opportunity to increase the advantage to 6-1.
Nick Lucchesi (Radnor) scored with a man-up advantage for the Wildcats, but Moore played provider to Jason who equaled the Villanova tally with a man-up goal of his own. Dutton sealed his hat trick with 2:27 to play in the first half to give St. Joe’s an 8-2 lead entering the break.
Moore netted his second goal of the day inside the opening four minutes of the second half to push the lead to a game-high seven goals.
The Wildcats scored three times in the span of 4:44, cutting the Hawks’ lead to four with five minutes to play in the third before Trae Ika ended the Villanova run with just over a minute remaining.
LaCalandra and Ika both found the net in the final frame to respond to Villanova goals to keep the Wildcat deficit to five goals with three minutes to play.
Nine of Gross’ 19 saves came in the final quarter, helping the Hawks keep the Wildcats at bay as the visitors only were able to muster one consolation goal in the final three minutes as the Hawks earned the 12-8 victory in the series’ first meeting in 18 years.
GAME NOTES
LaCalandra led the Hawks with five points, registering three assists to go along with a pair of goals. The Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. native has scored at least five points in each of his last three games, recording 11 goals and 11 assists on the year.
Ben Dutton continues to pace the Hawk attack with three goals, tallying a hat trick in each of his last three games. The freshman has scored multiple goals in every game but the season opener against Sacred Heart.
Tyler Moore produced a career-high three points with his first career multi-goal game, adding an assist in the win over the Wildcats.
Jesse Jason added a goal and two assists as the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year sits at nine goals and eight assists on the season.
Trae Ika scored two goals in the win, netting multiple goals in four of his last five games.
Levi Verch added a goal and an assist to his defensive performance, forcing a turnover and picking up seven ground balls on the afternoon.
Ryan Bradley and Marchini each recorded two caused turnovers, combining for eight ground balls between the pair.
The Hawks move to 3-11 all-time against the Wildcats, the first meeting between the two teams under head coach Taylor Wray’s tenure.
