WASHINGTON, D.C. - Stevenson Men's Lacrosse traveled to the capital today to face the Catholic University of America in non-conference play. The Mustangs would dominate from the first quarter on to notch their second win of the season with an 18-12 final.
Senior Dillon Linhardt started the Mustangs' scoring spree just under three minutes into the game, citing an assist from sophomore Max Racich. Junior Grant Zick would score his first goal of the night two minutes later before Racich netted his another pair of minutes later. Zick was back on the board just over a minute later with assistance from first year Hunter Bryant.
Though Catholic rounded out the first quarter with three goals, the Mustangs were quick to increase the goal deficit in the second. Sophomore Colin Dobbins scored his first goal of the season to get the action going before Zick completed his hat trick within half a minute. Racich followed with his second of the night before junior Jack Scaliti found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. With just four seconds to spare in the first half, Scaliti scored yet again to make the score 9-4 in the Mustangs' favor.
Bryant recorded his first goal of the game early in the third, followed by senior Andrew Searing. Racich scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season following Searing before senior Damien Schmidt scored his first of the year. Zick notched his fourth and fifth goals of the game within minutes of each other, both of which were assisted by Racich.
Bryant would complete his hat trick in the fourth quarter with two goals as Searing scored his second of the night with 11 minutes to go.
Racich finished the game with a team-high seven points, followed by Zick with five and Bryant with four. So far this season, Racich leads the team in points with 14 and Zick follows with 11 while Bryant, Searing, and Scaliti are tied with seven points apiece.
The Mustangs outshot the Cardinals 65-32, with 33 of those shots landing on net. Stevenson went a perfect 13-for-13 on clears and capitalized on two extra man opportunities. Senior Conor Halpin won a season-high 23 face-offs, collecting another season-high 18 ground balls.
Defensively, graduate student Justin Scorese made four saves. Eight different Mustangs caused turnovers.
Stevenson has a quick turnaround this week with another matchup scheduled for noon this Saturday, March 2nd at Gettysburg College. The game will conclude a three-game road slate as the Mustangs return home for their March 9th contest against Dickinson College, set for 7 p.m. at Mustang Stadium.
