Men's Lacrosse Falls to Franklin and Marshall

LANCASTER, PA - A Franklin and Marshall 7 goal first quarter proved to be the downfall for the Soaring Eagles despite a late comeback by the Purple and Gold. EC eventually fell to the Diplomats by the score of 13-7 Saturday afternoon at Sponaugle-Williamson Field.

Midfielder Peter Moon led his team with a game best six points scoring a total of 5 times while tallying 1 assist. For the Soaring Eagles fourth year attackman Mike Szpiech ’08 (Hamilton, ONT -- Albany Academy) managed a team high 3 goals. So far this season Szpiech has earned a total of 6 goals in the first two games played.

Offensively, the Diplomats got started early on a Moon goal at 13:55 in the first quarter. From there they added three more goals before the Purple and Gold managed to find the back of Franklin and Marshall’s cage. Scoring the first goal and only goal of the quarter was Szpiech. The Diplomats attack would manage three more goals in the final three minutes to take the 7-1 lead.

First year midfielder Martin O’Brien ’11 (West Springfield, MA -- Winchendon School) would give EC their first goal of the second quarter less than two minutes in. The Soaring Eagles defense also regained their composure in the second as they limited the Diplomats attack to only goal the entire quarter. Elmira would eventually cut the deficit in half before the halftime break (8-4).

With only two quarters remaining, the Purple and Gold knew that the game was far from over. Despite an early goal from Moon to make it 9-4, Elmira’s Brandon Brennan ’08 (Manassas, VA -- Osbourn Park) would answer right back three minutes later keeping the Diplomats lead at 4.

Unfortunately, that would be the only goal of the third for the Soaring Eagles, but for Franklin and Marshall a pair of unanswered goals would help them earn some breathing room going into the last quarter of the afternoon.

With only 15 minutes left in the competition, Elmira knew that they had to do something to get them in a situation to either tie or take the lead. However, the Diplomats would once again find the back of EC’s cage in the opening minutes of the quarter. Szpiech would add his third and final goal of the game two minutes later. Each team would score once more before the final horn sounded.

Goalie Geoffrey Lane ’10 (Pennington, NJ -- Pennington School) had a very busy day in front of Elmira’s goal. Overall he made a total of 12 saves, while facing 38 shots from the Diplomats attack. EC also had a solid amount of chances throughout the course of the afternoon earning a total of 30 shots.

Midfielder Phil Hill ’09 (Syracuse, NY -- Corcoran) led the Soaring Eagles in face-offs, winning a total of 13 times in 22 face-offs taken. Groundballs between the two teams were almost identical with Elmira managing one more than their opponent (36-35).

Men’s Lacrosse returns to action on Saturday, March 1st when they face St. Lawrence University at Cornell University’s Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, NY. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Elmira College 7, Franklin and Marshall 13
Box Score

Elmira College (1-1)          1  3   1   2   --   7
Franklin and Marshall (1-0) 7  1   3   2   --   13

Goals: E-Mike Szpiech 3, Mike Bialick 1, Martin O’Brien 1, Brandon Brennan 1, Dan Frost 1; F-Peter Moon 5, Noah Wilinsky 4, Mark Hild 2, Sean Oliver 1, Shane Brennan 1

Assists: E-Bialick 1; F-Oliver 3, Hild 2, Bobby Atkins 1, Brett Lepper 1, Moon 1, Jeff Ritter 1, Wilinsky 1

Shots: E-30, F-38; Saves: E-Geoffrey Lane 12, F-Chris Marcozzi 4 (30:00, 4 goals against), Danny Coffman 5 (30:00, 3 goals against)