KING'S MEN'S LACROSSE SUFFERS 8-4 SETBACK AGAINST FDU IN MAC OPENER
WILKES-BARRE -- Jake Higgins scored two goals and added an assist as visiting FDU-Florham posted an 8-4 win over King's College in both teams' Middle Atlantic Conference openers on Thursday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium.
With the loss King's slips to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in league play, while FDU-Florham improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference matches.
After the Devils opened the game with a goal to take a 1-0 lead, King's answered with an Evan Seward tally off an assist from Ryan Bullock to tie the game with 8:34 left on the first quarter clock. FDU took a 2-1 lead after one quarter of play following a Cody McHugh goal at the 3:20 mark.
King's continued their pressure on the offensive end in the second quarter tying the game at 2-2 when Mike O'Brien scored the first of his two goals off a helper from Shane Russo with 9:53 on the clock. Pat Bonnot would give the Monarchs their first lead of the game at 3-2 just five minutes later when he found the back of the net off another Russo assist. FDU answered to end the half scoring two goals to take back the lead at 4-3 heading into the break.
The third quarter belonged to the visiting Devils as FDU scored three unanswered goals in the frame. Goals from Higgins, McHugh, and Pat O'Brien gave the Devils a 7-3 lead after three quarters of play. King's scored a late goal in the fourth as Kieran McMahon and O'Brien hooked up to cut the deficit to three, but it wasnt enough as FDU added another insurance tally to escape with the conference victory.
Seward, O'Brien, Bonnot, and McMahon each scored goals for the Monarchs. Russo added two assists. King's goalie Kevin Conzola finished with eight saves, while Devils keeper Dino Vitale made seven stops in net.
King's will return to action Saturday when they continue MAC play at Alvernia University. Gametime is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Reading, Pa.
SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 3 4 Tot
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FDU-Florham......... 2 2 3 1 - 8
King's College...... 1 2 0 1 - 4
FDU-Florham SCORING: GOALS: Cody McHugh 3; Jake Higgins 2; Adam Koontz 1; Pat O'Brien 1; Rob Novack 1.
ASSISTS: Nick Ardolino 1; Paul Colflesh 1; Jake Higgins 1.
FDU-Florham GROUND BALLS: Billy Deignan 10; Paul Colflesh 3; Greg Kasper 3; Frank Marzillo 3; Rob Novack 3; Adam Koontz 2; Pat O'Brien 2; Dino Vitale 2; Drew Canfield 1; Jake Higgins 1; Cody McHugh 1; Nick Woodhull 1.
FDU-Florham TURNOVERS CAUSED: Greg Kasper 3; Paul Colflesh 1; Sean Cunningham 1; Rob Novack 1.
SHOTS - FDU-Florham 30; King's College 24.
SHOTS ON GOAL - FDU-Florham 17; King's College 11.
PENALTIES - FDU-Florham 3/2:30; King's College 5/5:00.
MAN-UP OPPORTUNITIES - FDU-Florham 2-5; King's College 0-3.
TURNOVERS - FDU-Florham 17; King's College 20.
FACEOFFS - FDU-Florham 10-15; King's College 5-15.
CLEARS - FDU-Florham 12-12; King's College 18-18.
GOALIES - FDUM11: Dino Vitale (60:00 minutes, 11 shots-7 saves, 4 GA); KINGSML: Kevin Conzola (60:00, 17-9, 8).
