APRIL 24, 2013

KING'S MEN'S LAXERS FALL TO DESALES

WILKES-BARRE -- The visiting DeSales University men's lacrosse team outscored host King's College 9-2 to overcome a 4-2 half-time deficit as the Bulldogs walked away with a 11-6 victory Wednesday night under the lights in a rain-plagued McCarthy Stadium.

With the win DeSales improved to 7-7 overall and 3-2 in the Freedom Conference. The Monarchs slipped to 9-3 and 3-2 in league play and are now locked in a three-way tie for second place with DeSales and Misericordia entering the final weekend of the regular-season.

King's opened the scoring just 2:22 into the game when Lenny Fox scored off an assist from Kieran McMahon. The Monarchs scored again 1:02 later when McMahon converted a pass by A.J. Bungert. The lead grew to 3-0 when Sweeney struck net off an assist from Kevin Sweeney with 0:38 remaining in the first period.

DeSales got on the board with 6:01 remaining in the half when Charlie Wilmer scored unassisted. The Bulldogs made it a 3-2 game at the 1:50 mark when Ryan Loughlin scored on a pass from James Guerrier.

King's took advantage of a huge DeSales mistake when Mike O'Brien intercepted an outlet pass from deep in Bulldog territory and immediately found Kevin Sweeney in front of the net for a Monarch goal with 0:10 on the clock as King's took a 4-2 lead into the halftime break.

In the third quarter the Monarchs pushed the lead to 5-2 when Fox scored unassisted at the 8:09 mark. The Bulldogs cut the score to 5-3 when Loughlin converted a pass from James Guerrier with 6:57 on the clock.

DeSales took advantage of a King's penalty, notching a man-up goal to trim the lead to 5-4 with 3:27 remaining in the frame. The Bulldogs then exploded for two goals in a 1:15 span to take a 6-5 lead at 2:12. But King's countered when O'Brien made good on a pass from O'Brien to tie the game at 6-6 just 0:41 later.

DeSales responded with an unassisted goal from Jared Wiedow 0:59 into the fourth quarter to recapture the lead. The Bulldogs pushed the lead to 8-6 on a goal by Nate Blevins at 11:37. DeSales continued the onslaught when Wiedow again scored off a pass from Loughlin with 10:15 remaining in the contest.

The Bulls would score again with 7:10 to build a 10-6 lead when Guerrier found the back of the net. Lance Bracale added with 3:11 to play.

King's outshot DeSales 45-26 but the Monarchs only managed to put 17 shots on goal while DeSales had 18 shots on goal. The Bulldogs held a 18-13 advantage in ground ball while also holding a decisive 16-4 lead in faceoffs.

For King's, Fox posted three goals while McMahon, O'Brien, and Sweeney added one goal and one assist apiece. Monarch keeper Brendan McCrudden made seven saves

Loughlin led DeSales with three goals and one assist while Weidow added two goals and an assist. Bracale also had two goals for the Bulldogs. DeSales goalie Matt Warnken made 11 saves.