SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Stevenson Men's Lacrosse faced No. 12 Union College this afternoon in the NCAA Second Round. After trailing by one for the majority of the game, a four-goal fourth quarter would ensure the Mustangs' spot in Sunday's Third Round contest against No. 8 Tufts. Stevenson came away with a 12-11 victory to knock the hosting Garnet Chargers out of the tournament.

Junior Jack Scaliti was the first Mustang to score, marking the start of a three-quarter back and forth goal battle. First year Darrell Curtis found the back of the net shortly after, citing an assist from classmate Gavin Gossen to tie the game at two. Stevenson would take their first lead three minutes later thanks to sophomore Max Racich capitalizing on an extra man opportunity.

Down by one heading into the second, Racich scored his second goal of the game on yet another extra-man opportunity thanks to a pass from senior Andrew Searing. Union responded by taking their largest lead of two goals before Curtis cut the lead in half with his second score of the outing.

Scaliti scored to open the third quarter, tying the game at six. He was followed by first years Hunter Bryant and Gavin Gossen as the Garnet Chargers held the Mustangs to just three goals.

Max Racich came out on an offensive tear in the fourth, scoring two straight goals to first tie the game at nine then give the Mustangs the 10-9 lead. Thanks to his momentum, Darrell Curtis and Gavin Gossen got on the board once again before Union could respond. Gossen's goal would become the eventual game-winner as the Chargers rode two late goals.

Racich remains the team lead with 54 goals, followed by Curtis with 47. Gossen, Bryant, and Scaliti tally 33, 20, and 28 goals on the year, respectively.


In net, Justin Scorese stood strong for 11 saves.

With their 14th win of the season, the Mustangs advance to tomorrow's Third Round contest against eighth-ranked Tufts University. Action is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., and the winner continues onto next weekend's Quarterfinals.