HUMANN STOPS GAME-HIGH 23 SHOTS AS NO. 9 MEN’S LACROSSE OVERWHELMS SNHU, 16-3

Box Score vs. SNHU - March 14, 2009

MANCHESTER, N.H. (Mar. 14, 2009) – On Saturday, senior goaltender Robert Humann (Hicksville, N.Y.) made a game-high 23 saves to help lift the ninth-ranked Molloy College men’s lacrosse squad past Southern New Hampshire University, 16-3, at Larkin Field in Manchester, N.H. With the decision, the Lions went to 2-0 on the year. As for the Penmen, they dropped to an overall record of 0-1.

Seconds into the first quarter, senior midfielder Albert Maione (West Islip, N.Y.) found the back of the net to give Molloy an early 1-0 lead. Two minutes later, sophomore attacker Brandon Peyer (Williston Park, N.Y.) struck on an unassisted effort. Southern New Hampshire then cut the deficit to one at the eight-minute mark with a goal by sophomore attacker Brian Nagle (Woburn, Mass.). But, the Lions got that marker back with 1:25 to go as freshman attacker Ryan Kudlek (Oceanside, N.Y.) put a shot inside the cage.

The Lions recorded four unanswered tallies in the second quarter over a five-minute stretch to take a 7-1 lead. Senior midfielder Keith Galante (Plainedge, N.Y.) registered two goals in the run – one at even strength and another with an extra-man opportunity. Kudlek and Maione both continued their strong play on the day with a goal and an assist. The Penmen managed to get a score off before the end of the half from senior attacker Mike Ball (Salem, N.H.), which made it 7-2 going into the break.

The third quarter saw three goals – all from the Molloy side. They also came in a span of 2:01. Maione had the first two with a man-up in both situations after SNHU freshman defenseman Alex Whitney (North Hampton, N.H.) was hit with one-minute penalties for slashing and unnecessary roughness. Freshman midfielder Tom Brewer (Hicksville, N.Y.) tallied the other on an unassisted effort.

The final session featured a good amount of scoring. The Lions got things going quickly as they recorded three consecutive tallies for a 13-2 advantage. Galante posted a goal and two assists. Junior midfielder Matt Dolan (Plainedge, N.Y.) amassed two goals in the burst. After a 25-minute drought, the Penmen put a goal on the board as junior midfielder Terrence Nash (Oceanside, N.Y.) put a ball by Humann. Molloy capped off the contest with three more markers. Galante accounted for one, while Brewer notched the other two.

Galante finished with seven points on four goals and three assists. He also attempted 11 shots and won a pair of ground balls. Maione registered six points (4 G, 2 A) and three ground balls. Peyer, Kudlek and Brewer had three points each. Peyer totaled a goal and two assists, Kudlek posted two goals and one assist, and Brewer got a hat trick. Dolan added two goals and two ground balls. Senior defenseman Chris Hupfer (Hicksville, N.Y.) picked up five ground balls and two caused turnovers for Molloy.

Senior defenseman Mike Dilena (Massapequa, N.Y.) and sophomore defenseman Joe Vissichelli (Hicksville, N.Y.) amassed four ground balls and two caused turnovers each. Senior midfielder Peter Bonelli (Commack, N.Y.) won 9-of-10 (90.0 percent) faceoffs and raked four ground balls. Sophomore attacker Ryan Bohlert (East Patchogue, N.Y.) attempted six shots (four SOG) and gathered two ground balls.

For SNHU, Ball attempted 18 shots and contributed five ground balls. Freshman defenseman Corey Hamilton (Tewksbury, Mass.) accumulated with eight ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sophomore midfielder Gary McKay (Billerica, Mass.) posted 13 faceoff victories and six ground balls. Whitney and sophomore attacker Marc Novaco (Chelmsford, Mass.) each compiled three ground balls. Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Eric Gunst (Exeter, N.H.) turned aside 22 shots.

Overall, the Lions owned a 59-47 advantage in shots and a 38-37 edge in ground balls. They also recorded a .409 (9-of-22) faceoff win percentage, while the Penmen were 13-of-22 (59.1 percent) in faceoffs. On clears, SNHU was successful in 78.2 percent (18-for-23) of them. As for Molloy, it was 22-for-26 (84.6 percent) in its attempts. With a man-up, the Lions scored on 7-of-17 chances. On the other hand, the Penmen were held to zero goals in seven opportunities.

Head Coach Joe Catalanotti and his squad return to action this Tuesday when Molloy goes on its Spring Break Trip to Belmont, Calif. The Lions will battle No. 10 Notre Dame De Namur in a non-conference match-up. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST.