DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Delaware Valley men's lacrosse dropped its MAC Freedom opener to Arcadia, 20-7, on Saturday afternoon, but goalie Daniel Hickling set a program record for saves in a single game.
Before the opening faceoff, the Aggies and Knights held a moment of silence for Tyler Carbajal, who played with DelVal last year and tragically passed away last summer. Read more here. Visit the Morgan's Message website for more information and resources on mental health in athletics and student-athletes.
The Aggies fell behind 8-0 in the first quarter and trailed by 10 before getting on the board. Dalton Richter scored on a man-up opportunity after a cross-checking penalty on the Knights four minutes into the second quarter.
After two more goals by Arcadia, Kieran Schneider and Peter DelRossi scored back-to-back for DelVal, separated by a save from Hickling. Hickling faced heavy pressure in the final minute of the half but kept the deficit at 12-3 heading into halftime.
James Cadott had the first shot of the third quarter but was stopped before Arcadia scored four straight goals over a three-minute span. Schneider had another shot saved, but DelRossi collected the rebound and scored his second goal of the game. Hickling added two more saves before Geraghty scored for the Knights. With 4:32 remaining in the third, Luke Witko picked up a loose ball and found the back of the net for the Aggies. Ashton Benkwitt later had a shot stopped on a man-up chance, but DelVal could not convert.
The Aggies continued to lean on Hickling defensively before Luca Aliano scored just over four minutes into the fourth quarter to make it 17-6. Arcadia capitalized on a DelVal turnover and later added a man-up goal after three consecutive Aggie penalties. Cadott traded goals with Arcadia's Barndt with 3:34 remaining to set the final score at 20-7.
Hickling finished with 40 saves, breaking his previous career high of 24 set last season and establishing a new program record. The previous mark was held by Ryley Savering, who recorded 28 saves in 2023.
With the loss, the Aggies fall to 0-8 overall and 0-1 in the MAC Freedom. They return to action on Saturday, April 4, when they travel to Langhorne to take on Cairn University.
