On a rainy Saturday afternoon, the Marist men’s lacrosse team opened up MAAC play in Staten Island, New York and lost to Wagner 9-8. This loss marks Wagner’s first win over Marist in program history (previously 0-12).
The Red Foxes (3-3, 0-1 MAAC) saw two last ditch efforts from two of their star attackmen in the final 90 seconds, but unfortunately, it was not enough as Wagner (1-5,1-0 MAAC) came off with the upset win. The defending MAAC champions outshot Wagner 22-16; Senior attackmen Joshua Balcarcel had a game high six points for Marist.
After last week’s one-goal loss to Bellarmine, Marist started off hot and opened up the game with a goal from freshman midfielder Christian Colantonio less than two minutes into the game, 1-0 Marist. Wagner, coming into this game only averaging seven goals per game, scored back-to-back goals from junior midfielder James Rea and junior attackmen Ethan Sieb to take the lead.
The Red Foxes answered with a behind-the-back goal from junior attackmen Jake Deacy, making it 2-2. Wagner would not go away as junior midfielder Patrick Caldwell and senior attackmen Nick Martini scored back-to-back goals. After a Marist timeout the Red Foxes gave the ball to Balcarcel from “X” with four seconds left. Balcarcel used his speed to fly by the defender and score his first goal of the day with one second left in the first, cutting the Wagner lead to 4-3.
After 11 minutes of scoreless second quarter action, Wanger’s sophomore attackmen Max Frissora broke the silence with a goal. After another Red Fox timeout, Balcarcel found Deacy and senior midfielder Stephen Bickel to tie the game at five with under four minutes left in the half.
With under eight minutes in the third quarter, after a Wagner save, freshman midfielder Terry Ferrell went coast-to-coast breaking the tie. With time winding down in the third quarter, Balcarcel added to his three point day, scoring his second goal of the game.
The fourth quarter started with the game tied at six. Wagner jumped in front with three straight goals, two from Fissora. Balcarcel and Deacy both scored their third goals of the game, keeping the Red Foxes in it. It was a one goal game in the final minute, but Marist was unable to find an equalizer and took the loss in their first MAAC matchup.
In between the pipes Red Foxes junior goalie Noble Smith, saw 16 shots on goal in today’s matchup, saving seven of them. To Wagner’s credit, this was their best game of the season, shot-placement wise. On the other side of the field, Wagner’s sophomore goalie Rudy Zarate had his best game of the season, ending his day with 14 saves.
The Marist defense caused eight turnovers, unfortunately the team was not able to get it done on the offensive end. Graduate student defender Kurt Wessner led the way with two caused turnovers in today’s matchup.
Marist will look to bounce back as the Red Foxes are taking on Canisius at Tenney Stadium on March 16th. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be the teams first conference home game of the season.
Edited by Samuel Murphy
Photo from Jaylen Rizzo
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