Wilkes Barre (Pa.) – The Delaware Valley University men's lacrosse team opened Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom play on the road at King's College and earned a 13-6 win behind a four-goal performance from senior Brett Ziegler.
The Aggies improved to 5-5 overall and 1-0 in MAC Freedom play, while the Monarchs remained winless through eight games.
DelVal found itself in a quick 1-0 deficit two minutes into the game, but responded with a pair of goals separated by just 26 seconds. Ziegler got DelVal on the board with a man-up goal and Tony Aguayo cashed in from nearly the same spot, a long way out. The Aggies made it three-straight when Daniel Aulisi located Cole Graeff for his 11th of the season giving to make it a 3-1 lead.
The Monarchs responded in the closing seconds of the quarter as Nate Hullinger found Ryan Lynch for his eighth of the season to make it 3-2 after one.
The Aggies outscored the home team, 4-1, in the second while killing off three man-up opportunities on the defensive end. Ziegler continued his impressive night as he found the net twice and Graeff located the net again to close the half and give the Green and Gold a 7-3 lead at the break. Jack Sprinkle got in on the second quarter scoring action, while George Evanick had two assists.
The Monarchs were efficient to start the second as they scored two goals on six shots, just three on cage, and held DelVal to one goal on 14 shots including five on cage. That pulled King's to within three, 8-5, after three quarters.
The Aggies pulled away in the fourth quarter with four goals in a span of 3:58 to open up a 12-5 lead with just over six minutes left in regulation. Ziegler and Marren started the run with a nice play and Aulisi followed with his 21st of the season on a great spin move from behind the net. Aulisi had two goals and an assist in a matter of 2:48 during that stretch.
Sprinkle topped off the win with his second goal and third point of the game late in regulation for the 13-6 final. Ziegler led the team with a season-high five points and Aulisi followed with four as the Aggies had seven different goal scorers and outshot the Monarchs, 43-30.
Frederick Offenburger handled all faceoff duties for the DelVal and went 13-for-21. Reigning MAC Freedom Defensive Player of The Week Sean Mylod led the team with nine ground balls and two caused turnovers. Goalie Aidan Purcell added another win to his record of 3-1 and finished the night with 14 saves.
For the Monarchs, Ryan Lynch paced the team with his three goals and Redmond Cahill led the defense with six groundballs. Matt Wall was in net for King's and raked in 13 saves.
The Aggies are back at home this Saturday, April 1st in another MAC Freedom contest against Wilkes University.
