Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Ashley Nace
In a battle of the birds, the River Hawks “shared the wealth” as they soared to a 19-7 victory over the Eagles in the Men’s Lacrosse game versus Juniata on Wednesday at Sassafras Field.
After a slow couple of minutes to start the game, first-year Matt Chubenko put the first ball in the back of the net, giving his team their first goal in the first four minutes of play.
Chubenko was the leading scorer for the River Hawks, totaling four goals and an assist by the end of the game.
A Juniata turnover resulted in Susquehanna’s second goal as senior Jimmy Maro put one in, followed by a goal from junior Drew Filipovits just one minute later.
But Juniata answered right back with their first goal of the game off the restart to make the score 3-1.
Sophomore Owen Teaney found the net for a goal with 4:19 to go, but the Eagles scored again off the restart, keeping the score close. Before the quarter ended, Chubenko earned his second goal of the game to end the first quarter with a 5-2 lead over Juniata.
The River Hawks kept the pressure up in the second quarter. Senior
Senior Garrett Howell scored first with 10:56 on the clock. Though the Eagles won more face offs than they lost, which turned into shots, they couldn’t put them away.
The River Hawks, following the Eagles’ example, came up with three shots in just 40 seconds, but sank none in the net.
Finally, Teaney took matters into his own hands and, after his first shot was blocked, came down hard with a goal. Howell earned his second shortly after to give the River Hawks the 8-2 advantage.
Commotion in the midfield gave Juniata a chance at the net, but sophomore goalie Matt Connor defended his post and made the save.
The shutout quarter for the River Hawks sent them into the second half pulling Juniata along 9-2. The Eagles weren’t satisfied. Coming out with strength to start the second half, Juniata scored the first goal in 43 seconds. But the River Hawks weren’t done with their triumphal run.
Filipovits earned his second goal of the game, followed by back-to-back goals from Chubenko and senior Kieran Koenke. After a successful face off win for the River Hawks, senior Nick Remund put down the fourth goal in two minutes for Susquehanna with 10:19 to go.
Though Susquehanna’s highest scoring quarter was off to a dazzling start, Juniata was determined to put up points, as they scored off the face off.
Chubenko earned his fourth and final goal of the game before Juniata came in for back-to-back goals.
First-year Christian Fokas earned his first collegiate goal of his career to put the River Hawks up 15-6 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter didn’t get much better for the Eagles. Acherman tore up the field for two more goals to start the quarter.
A slashing penalty put Susquehanna a man down, but Gabe Broom didn’t mind as he charged in for a goal with 7:45 left.
As the game dwindled to a close, a large span of ceased scoring hung over the field. Ridge Gerken broke it, tossing in the final goal for the River Hawks with just under two minutes of play remaining.
Juniata’s final attempt to close the gap came with a goal as 43 seconds stood on the clock, but when the clock struck zero, their efforts didn’t cut it.
Eleven different River Hawks scored multiple goals in the blowout win against Juniata, with five of them recording multiple goals. Chubenko led the way with his four goals, followed by Ackerman with three and Filipovits, Howell and Teaney each recording two.
Susquehanna outshot Juniata 52-36 and caused 13 turnovers to Juniata’s five. Juniata beat out the River Hawks in face off wins 12-18.
In the net for Susquehanna, sophomore Jack Stropian came up with four saves on the game. First-year Greyson Stewart and Connor made two apiece.
The win now puts Susquehanna at 6-7 on the year with a 3-2 record in conference play. The River Hawks will fly to the field again Saturday, April 11 at Sassafras Field as they take on Drew for Senior Day, seeking another conference win.