Box Score

DOYLESTOWN (PA) – The Delaware Valley University men's lacrosse team began the 2016 campaign with a 9-7 defeat to visiting Gwynedd Mercy University on Wednesday.

The Griffins improved to 1-1 with the victory.

It was an evenly matched first quarter as both teams potted two goals. Tony McCraw put Gwynedd Mercy on the board 1:45 in then sophomore Chris Coyle evened the score on a man-up opportunity with 9:01 on the clock. Jordan Dzierzgowski hit the back of the net with 6:22 to go for a 2-1 Griffins lead. Freshman PJ Rafferty tied the game with 2:54 remaining.

The second quarter belonged to DelVal. Gwynedd Mercy held a 3-2 advantage but the Aggies tallied three straight for their first lead at 5-3. Freshman Austin Sensenig had two of the goals and Rafferty recorded the other. DelVal took the two goal cushion into halftime.

The Griffins got the only two markers of the third quarter from Marc Bushong and Ryan Simpson to tie the game at five apiece heading to the fourth. Tommy Belmont and sophomore Nick Shendge traded goals and the score was 6-6 with 10 minutes left. Gwynedd Mercy then ambushed the Aggies with two goals in eight seconds to take an 8-6 edge with 6:57 to go. McCraw and Simpson had the tallies. Belmont provided insurance with 5:48 on the clock and Shendge had the final goal at the 1:42 mark.

McCraw finished with two goals and two assists. Simpson and Belmont each potted two while Nick Guglielmi, Bushong and Dzierzgowski had one apiece. Kris Boyd notched one assist.

For DelVal, Rafferty had an impressive collegiate debut, racking up two goals and three assists. Sensenig and Shendge each had two goals and Coyle tallied one. Sophomore Danny Smith was a standout defensively, registering one assist, 10 ground balls and seven caused turnovers.

Sean Myers stopped eight shots in goal on the way to the victory. Senior Jon Fogarty made 10 saves for the Aggies.

DelVal visits Immaculata University on Saturday, March 5 (3:00 p.m.).