Men's Lacrosse: Lacrosse wins first game in five years

By Kevin Hall
Collegian Staff
March 1, 2006

“Bitter” doesn’t even come close to describing how cold it was on Friday, Feb. 24, as the La Salle men’s club lacrosse team went in search of a win against visiting Delaware Valley. However, even further away from “bitter,” albeit in a different sense, was the team itself, which won its first game in five years.

The men’s lacrosse team won its first game in five years.
- Courtesy of Keith Cialino

The game started off on a fast pace which did not favor the Explorers. The defense allowed Del Val to climb to a 4-1 lead early as they continued to pressure offensively throughout the first quarter.

The Explorers were able to settle down and regroup as they soon scored three goals to tie it up, aided mostly by freshman Ryan Johnson, who went on to score three goals by himself, as well as the Del Val goalie, who amazingly scored on herself.

Needless to say, Del Val switched goalies in the second half, but that did not stop the Explorers. It was a rough physical game that featured many big hits due to the lack of ball control on both sides.

The inexperience of the Explorers could be seen at numerous points, but did not seem to be a problem in relation to the overall cohesion of the team play. Key stops in the second half from senior captain Keith Giamberardino, along with the defensive play of Steve Struse, warded off attempts from Del Val’s offensive attack, and allowed Joe Petrongolo to score three goals.

Worthy of note is the fact that, at one point in the second half, the lights, which enable teams to compete at night, completely went out. This seemed to pump up the Explorers, who played extremely hard in the last few minutes and went on to win, 8-6.

The team will next see action tonight against Rider at 7 p.m.

hallk3@lasalle.edu