FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College men's lacrosse team honored its Senior class by earning the program's first ever victory over Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth foe Eastern University in a 9-8 nail biter.
Inside the Box Score
- Connor Flok (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) led the Blazers in points with four goals in the game.
- Owen McDermott (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) also had four points on the day, scoring twice and assisting on two goals.
- Garrett Hitchens (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) scooped up seven ground balls and went 10-12 at the faceoff X.
- Sammy Patnaik (Fairfax, Va./Robinson Secondary) was the forefront of the Blazer defense causing two turnovers and picking up three ground balls in the match.
- Alex Dudziak (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) made 14 saves in cage after 60 minutes of gametime.
How it Happened
- Eastern opened the match's scoring as Nicholas Fanelli too advantage of a man up opportunity to score the first goal of the game. In response to the previous goal Flok found the back of the net to tie the game at 1 point each as he also took advantage of an extra man chance. The Eagles would fight to regain the lead as Nicholas Fanelli managed to sneak in another goal halfway through the first quarter. Then with less than seven minutes to spare Flok struck back with another goal to tie the score once more. With just under five minutes in the first freshman Sawyer Tighe (East Lyme, Conn./East Lyme) added another for the Blazers as Hood led 3-2.
- Just four minutes into the second quarter Nicholas Fanelli scored his third goal of the day to even the score at three goals apiece. Flok sick of the back and forth scoring by each team, netted his third goal with six minutes to go in the quarter. Following Flok's goal McDermott added on to the Blazer lead with a fast break goal. With little time left until half time the Eagles managed to get back on the board as Nick Litzenberger scored his first with a minute and 51 seconds to go. Heading into the third period Hood led 5-4.
- Staring out the third quarter, Hood's Robbie Wiley (York, Pa./Central York) found the back of the net off an assist from Jay Lanigan (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack) just two minutes in. After ten minutes of good defensive stands by each team, Flok knocked back his fourth goal on the day cutting through the Eagles defense. With less than two minutes in the quarter Nicholas Fanelli also scored his fourth goal in the game this time utilizing a man up opportunity. Then with time running down the Blazers did not hold out as McDermott scored a buzzer beating goal to close out the third quarter putting Hood up 8-5 heading into the fourth.
- To begin the fourth and final quarter of play Eastern finally got back in the scoring column three minutes in with a strike from Connor Bachman. The Blazers would respond though just a minute later with a goal from Rio Muldoon (Prince Frederick, Md./DeMatha Catholic) to give Hood a three-goal lead. With less than six minutes to go in regulation the Eagles added two more goals in hopes of an Eastern comeback bid. With both teams not giving an inch it was Dudziak who made the game winning save on Eastern's last shot at glory. Following the save Hood made a successful clear to get the ball to their offensive end, and as the time expired the Blazers were victorious winning the match 9-8.
For the Opponent
- Nicholas Fanelli totaled four goals and a ground ball for Eastern.
- Zach Puckett and Dan Divita each picked up two groundballs and caused one turnover in the game.
- Ethan Myers ended the day saving 15 shots in goal after 60 minutes of playtime.
Analysis
- Eastern just barely outshot Hood, going 35-34.
- Hood won the faceoff battle 14-5.
- Both teams went 2-1 in extra man opportunities.
- The Blazers had a 26-22 edge in ground balls.
Notes
- Hood improves to 9-8 (3-4), while Eastern falls to 7-10 (3-4).
- Before the game, Hood honored seniors Owen McDermott (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser), Connor Bross (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser), Sammy Patnaik (Fairfax, Va./Robinson Secondary), Aidan Gilsdorf (Frederick, Md./Gov Thomas Johnson), Luke Harned (Frederick, Md./Walkersville), John Sanick (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville), Evan Hayek (New Market, Md./Oakdale), Aden Sievert, and Emanuel Granados (Frederick, Md./Governor Thomas Johnson).
Up Next
The Blazers will be back in action for the spring 2025 season.
