By Mel Barracato, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna men’s lacrosse team took home a thrilling conference win on senior day against Moravian after a game-winning goal by sophomore attacker Colton Dick with 13.9 seconds left in the game to win it 10–9 on Saturday, April 6.
It was a milestone day for Dick as he not only won the game for the River Hawks but also picked up his 100th-career point during the contest.
Susquehanna got on the scoreboard first with two early goals, the first less than two minutes in by Dick, who assisted junior attacker Michael Hatala about two minutes later. Moravian then scored six unanswered goals to end the first half with a 6–2 lead.
Senior midfielder Jack Donnelly tallied a hat-trick all in the third quarter, with his first coming off an assist from senior midfielder Jake Smolokoff. The Greyhounds answered back with a goal of their own less than ten seconds later however.
Dick then assisted Donnelly’s next two goals to start the rally. Smolokoff found the back of the net for his first of the day with three minutes left in the third to get the River Hawks within one. The Greyhounds then fired in one more with just under two minutes in the third period to maintain their lead.
Dick achieved the milestone with a goal off a pass from senior midfielder Jack DiGregorio to bring the score to 8–7 in the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Senior midfielder Jack Gerrity scored his sixth goal of the season unassisted to start the run with a little more than seven minutes left. Smolokoff found the net a second time to tie the game with about five minutes left.
A pick from behind the net was all Dick needed to capitalize on his defender, rolling the crease and firing the game-winner from the ground with 13.9 seconds remaining in regulation. A faceoff win from sophomore midfielder Ryan Bucher proved to be the most important of the day to ensure the victory for the River Hawks in the remaining seconds.
Moravian outshot Susquehanna 38-29 and won the ground ball battle 34-28. Senior defender Dan Murphy picked up five ground balls and his season-best three caused turnovers. Senior goalkeeper Dylan Abplanalp made 11 saves in his eighth double-digit save performance of the season.
It was a milestone day for a number of reasons, with Dick being one of the major highlights with his 100th-career point and the game-winner.
“It’s a huge milestone that I have been able to accomplish because of the great players and coaches I have around me this year and last,” said Dick. “There are so many guys that I can attribute my success to because they have pushed me to become a better player, and that has also boosted our team success.”
Before the game, the River Hawks recognized the following seniors to honor their successes with the Susquehanna men’s lacrosse program: Jack Donnelly, Jack DiGregorio, Ryan Cataldo, Travis Belt, Erik Lanyi, Jake Smolokoff, Doug Adams, Lou Pillari, Dylan Abplanalp, Joshua Wesolowski, James Abramo, Dan Murphy, Jack Gerrity, Luke Franklin, and Travis Yaga.
Susquehanna also picked up another win on the road with a 16–5 stomp of Marywood on Tuesday, April 9.
Donnelly led all scorers on the day with five goals while Hatala added a hat-trick of his own alongside two assists. Dick finished the game with three assists.
Abplanalp finished the game with six saves, while junior goalkeeper.
Susquehanna outshot Marywood 44-23 and had a 46-30 advantage in ground balls during the contest.
The River Hawks return to action and travel to Goucher for a 1 p.m. game on Saturday, April 13 in Towson, Md.