CLINTON, S.C. - In the last home game of the season, the Presbyterian
College men's lacrosse team controlled the game for three quarters, but was
unable to come out on top Monday afternoon. The Blue Hose fell 12-7 to
Manhattan.
PC (1-5) was led by Ben Ewing and Sean Mulford, who each accounted for a goal
and an assist. The Jaspers (2-3) were paced by James Synowiez's three scores.
Manhattan jumped on top 2-0 just 3:08 into the contest. However, Devin Pinkston
quickly answered the bell for the Blue Hose, notching a goal off a pass from
Mulford at the 9:00 mark of the first quarter. Neither team was able to score
for the next few minutes until the Jaspers earned a 3-1 margin with 5:54 to go
in the first stanza. PC, however, would battle back as Ewing found Andrew
Athens for a goal late in the period.
The visitors notched the first two scores of the second frame, jumping out to a
5-2 advantage. Then, PC's stellar defense shut Manhattan out for the final 7:04
of the second quarter. During that time, PC's DJ Brown, James Cupo and Ewing
all notched goals, tying the contest at 5-5 heading into the intermission.
In the third quarter, Manhattan was able to win the face-off. The team scored
just seven seconds into the period for a 6-5 advantage. The score marked the
first of seven straight goals by the Jaspers, including six in the third
quarter.
After a goal at the 14:05 mark of the fourth period, PC's defense once again
shut down the Jaspers the remainder of the frame. The team, which was
relentless on defense, continued to attack and picked up 12 ground balls in the
final period.
The Blue Hose closed the gap to 12-6 on a goal by Mulford with 8:20 to go.
Then, Tyler Melnyk continued his stellar rookie campaign by netting a goal just
21 seconds later. However, it marked the last time that either team would score
in the contest.
For the game, Jon Athens led the way with 14 saves and eight ground balls. Cupo
was great off the face-off, winning 10-15 attempts. Blake Studstill garnered a
team-high two caused turnovers.
Manhattan posted 39 shots to 34 for the Blue Hose. Head coach Mike Gongas' team
accounted for 38 ground balls to 37 by the visitors. PC won 14-23 face-offs and
had 18 successful clears on the afternoon.
The Blue Hose return to action next Monday at Detroit. The face-off is slated
for 3 p.m.
