Riverdale, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's men's lacrosse team competed on Marillac Field for the third straight time to open the season, this time facing off against former Skyline Conference rival Russell Sage College. The Dolphins couldn't capitalize on back-to-back wins against Cairn University and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, as they lost to the Gators by the score of 17-8.
It was the first loss CMSV has suffered this season. They're now 2-1 through three games.
The Dolphins - who have excelled on both sides of the field so far this season - found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the first quarter. The Gators jumped out to a three goal lead, and held that mark until less than two minutes left in the first quarter. It was then when reigning Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week
Andrew Dzubak converted his shot attempt with the assist going to midfielder
Jacob Cochran to make it a 3-1 game. The second quarter was a rough one for head coach
James Fitzgerald, as Russell Sage responded to Dzubak's goal with an 8-1 run over the 15 minute period. CMSV's lone point would come from fellow freshman Riche Albert on a man advantage, taking a pass from senior
Giovanni Jean-Pharuns to punch in the goal.
CMSV's offense came to life in the third period, with the team cutting into the Gators lead. Albert and fellow freshman
Isaac Parsons would score in consecutive possessions to make it a 13-6 game. Despite the momentum shift, the Gators would go on a three goal run of their own and would eventually outscore the Dolphins 4-2 to close out the win.
The freshmen attack trio of Albert (four), Dzubak (two) and Parsons (two) would provide all the offense for the Dolphins, with Jean-Pharuns dishing out a team-best three assists. Freshman defenseman
Chris Meenan would pace CMSV with six ground balls to go along with two caused turnovers, with juniors Cochran and
Adrian Guillermo leading the team with three caused turnovers apiece.
Sawyer Davis would register seven saves.
The Dolphins will look to return to their winning ways this weekend when they head upstate to take on SUNY New Paltz.