Offensive Explosion Leads LAX Past Johnson State

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team picked up its first win of 2016 by a 23-2 final over Johnson State College on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Alumni Field.

Dan DiGioia finished with two goals and eight assists for a game-high 10 points on the day. Owen LaPorte netted a game-high five goals while Jacob Setzko and Kyle Marsh added four apiece. The 23 goals were the most scored by the Mariners in a single game since 2011, and first-year head coach Rich Petillo earned his first career victory in the process.

Mitchell (1-2 overall) never trailed in the contest after potting three goals in the opening 3:33. Aaron Sladyk put the Mariners on the scoreboard less than two minutes into the contest, and DiGioia and Brian Jordan followed with tallies moments later.

The Badgers (0-2 overall) kept it close as Andrew Neddo and Mason Phillips each found the back of the cage midway through the first period. However, that would be all the offense that Johnson State would muster on the day.

After DiGioia closed out the first quarter scoring to put Mitchell on top 4-2, the Mariners rallied for 10 goals in the second stanza to extend the margin 14-2 at halftime. Setzko and Marsh each scored twice in the period while LaPorte notched a hat trick in the final 3:26.

Mitchell continued the offensive assault in the second half, adding seven scores in the third quarter and two in the fourth. Setzko scored twice on man-up opportunities—both times off feeds from DiGioia—and Sladyk added a shorthanded goal.

Mitchell finished with a 61-10 advantage in shots and won 22 of 29 face-offs. The Mariners also held a 66-23 edge in ground balls led by eight from McCarthy Brodaski. Mitchell went 5-for-11 with a man advantage and killed off all seven penalties it faced.

Mitchell goalie JD LeMay made three saves to earn his first win of the season. Johnson State goalie Zach Shuttle finished with 11 saves in the loss.

Mitchell returns to action at home against Nichols College on Wednesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. Johnson State will next play at SUNY Canton on Thursday, March 24 at 4 p.m.