Staten Island, NY-- A big first quarter from Monmouth proved to be the difference this afternoon, as the Wagner men's lacrosse team fell 9-5 to the Hawks in a rain and fog-filled non-conference contest at Hameline Field.
Wagner got one goal each from five different players --
Stephen Dwyer,
Jake Garb,
Nic Ancona,
Tyler Lawton and
Matt McAnaney, scoring at least once in every quarter.
Harrison Brown picked up a season-best four ground balls while freshmen
Eli Fisher and
Mikey Vanaman each caused a turnover and collected five ground balls between them.
Eamon Campbell and Cade Stratton each had four points for Monmouth; Campbell finished with a hat trick and Stratton notched three assists.
How It Happened:
Stratton and Dwyer traded goals in the opening 2:35, with each scoring on their respective team's first shots of the game. Campbell added two as part of a 4-0 Hawks' run to end the period up 5-1.
The scoring slowed in the second quarter as the rain picked up. Garb used some fancy footwork, as well as the net, to create space and score just 51 seconds into the period.
The team's managed just three shots on goal over the final 14+ minutes, with Garb's goal holding up as the only one of the period.
Monmouth struck first coming out of the half, with Campbell completing his hat trick, but Ancona answered for the Seahawks off a feed from Garb less than three minutes later to pull Wagner back within three, 6-3.
The Hawks pushed the lead back to four with a goal late in the period.
Monmouth opened its largest lead of the day, 8-3, with a goal a minute into the fourth, but Wagner fought back as Lawton scored off a rebound from a McAnaney shot before McAnaney found the back of the net himself, pulling the Green and White back within three.
The visitors added a goal late for the final margin.
Next Up For Wagner
- Wagner will head more than 800 miles south for a Leap Day (February 29) showdown with the Mercer University Bears. Opening face-off is set for 11 a.m.
