LAX Falls to Mount Saint Mary in Season Opener

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team opened the 2012 season with a 13-6 loss at Mount Saint Mary College on Tuesday evening.

Mitchell senior Adam Grillo opened up the game with back-to-back goals to put the Mariners up 2-0 with less than three minutes elapsed in the first. With 10:57 on the clock, Mount junior Andrew Pullen ripped a shot that found its way to the back of the net to make it a one-goal game. The Mariners added their third of the night, around the nine minute mark, that forced the Knights to make some defensive adjustments.

Mount Saint Mary College junior Nick Findlay dished the ball off to sophomore Matt O'Donnell for a shot past Mitchell goalkeeper Peter Eshenfelder. Pullen then added two more goals at the end of the first to complete the hat trick.

In a slow second quarter, only the Knights (2-2 overall) scored to increase their lead. After receiving a pass from Findlay behind the net, Mount freshman Jake Robison wrapped around the front of the cage and snuck a shot past Eshenfelder for his first collegiate point. Robison struck with his second goal of the night with less than a minute left in the first half and he gave the Knights a 6-3 lead at the break.

The Knights used a 3-0 run to open up the third quarter and extend their lead to six, 9-3, by the 12:24 mark. After remaining scoreless since midway through the first quarter, the Mariners added a goal by freshman Nicholas Gresio with 7:12 showing on the clock to break the drought.

In the closing minutes of the third, Mount Saint Mary College freshman CJ Cardo added his first of the night followed by O'Donnell's fourth. O'Donnell shot the ball in the back of the net as he fell towards the ground.

Up by six, 11-5, and with 12:04 on the clock Mount freshman David Hobbs dodged from the top of the box and, with two defenders on him, managed to fire the ball into the back of the net to put the Knights ahead by seven. Freshman Stephen York later recorded his first collegiate goal, placing a shot right below the top crossbar.

O'Donnell finished with a game-high four goals while Robison and Pullen each recorded hat tricks and Findlay tallied five assists. Faceoff specialist Stephen White was excellent, going 15-for-21 on the face-off. Sophomore goalkeeper Shawn Cobstill made six saves and earned the win in goal.

Grillo led the Mariners with two goals and one assist. Mitchell sophomore Shane Sullivan also added two goals and Eshenfelder totaled six saves in the loss.

Mitchell will next play at Randolph College on Saturday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m.