Frank is Mazz-nificant, Garnet Beat Seahawks
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- The Garnet defense, led by junior captain Frank Mazzuco's 18 saves, controlled the action and sophomore attack Kyle Wilson provided the necessary offense as Swarthmore defeated visiting St. Mary's College (MD) in a thrilling 5-4 victory. Wilson scored his team-leading twelfth goal with just 0:23 remaining in the fourth quarter to lift the Garnet over the Seahawks in a non-conference men's lacrosse action Tuesday night at Clothier Field.
St. Mary's (7-4, 3-2 CAC) jumped out to an early lead, scoring two goals in the first quarter before Wilson put Swarthmore (4-3, 2-2 CC) on the board with his first goal of the evening early in the second. Seahawks attack Pat Oliphart countered with a goal just over two minutes later, before Swarthmore stormed back to tie the score before the half. Chris Harman '08 tallied his second goal of the season to cut the lead to 3-2, and defenseman Drew Bonessa '08 cut his way through the St. Mary's defense to score a fast break goal with just 47 second remaining in the half.
The third quarter featured little offense as both teams' defense locked down. Mazzuco made eight saves in the period, as St. Mary's midfielder Stu Wright scored with 2:10 remaining in the quarter to give the Seahawaks the lead going into the fourth.
Todd Freidman '09 scored his second goal of the season to tie the game with just over nine minutes left. The game looked as if it might go into overtime, with both teams struggling to find any offensive punch, before Wilson took his man to the net and scored to win it for Swarthmore.
Mazzuco's 18 stops is the second-best in his career (he made 20 stops vs. Goucher on March 5, 2005). Junior defenseman Dan Sartori caused three Seahawk turnovers and picked up three ground balls.
The Garnet return to action Saturday afternoon when they face McDaniel in a key Centennial Conference match-up. The game, which will be played on Clothier Field, is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m with the Swarthmore women's lacrosse team facing off against McDaniel at 3:00 in the second game of a doubleheader.