The I-87 Rivalry continued Wednesday night as Marist men’s lacrosse defeated the Siena Saints on national television for the second straight year, this time by a score of 14-13. Senior attackman Joshua Balcarcel eclipsed the 50-career goal mark in tonight’s ESPNU matchup.
Sophomore attackman Peter Murray and Balcarcel anchored the Marist (6-6, 3-4 MAAC) offense with both tallying five points. Red Foxes junior goaltender Noble Smith stood on his head in net, corralling 15 saves against a talented Siena (5-7, 3-4 MAAC) offense.
“I was able to get in a little bit of pick action. Me and Josh were doing picks getting me open, getting me free,” said Murray. “My teammates dodged hard getting the ball around and got me in good spots to dodge and score.”
Siena broke the ice after a long possession with a goal from sophomore attackman Cade Olmstead. Marist quickly answered with a goal from Murray.
Following a flurry of saves by Smith, freshman attackman Colin Patrick gave Marist a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
To open up the second quarter graduate student midfielder Stephen Bickel added to the Red Foxes’ lead. Siena answered with two goals from sophomore attackmen Travis Fry graduate student faceoff man Dylan Pape to knot the game at three.
Marist needed to stop the mini Siena run and they did as junior attackmen Jake Deacy and Murray netted a goal each.
Late in the second quarter, Balcarcel tallied his first goal to give Marist a 6-3 lead. On the ensuing possession, the Saints answered with a goal by senior attackman Rocco Barbero, shrinking the Siena deficit to two goals, 6-4 at halftime
Siena opened up the second half with a behind-the-back goal from freshman midfielder Patrick Radomsk. However, Marist had the answer on ensuing possessions junior midfielder Sam Ferell and Murray giving Marist an 8-5 lead.
Coming into the game Balcarcel needed two goals to obtain 50-career goals and he did just that as he put Marist up three goals, 9-6.
“I know something that he’s really proud of and he’s the first guy to come off the field and go on to the next one,” said head coach Keegan Wilkinson. “So that’s what truly embodies what wearing that jersey [number 34] is about.”
Marist began to separate from the Saints in the third quarter as Murray scored his second of the quarter, freshman midfielder Sean Mullan and Deacy extended the lead to six. Siena responded with two goals, highlighted by Fry, cutting the Red Foxes’ lead to four heading into the fourth quarter.
Siena opened the fourth quarter with a goal from Olmstead. Balcarcel finished a hat trick in response.
Siena answered back quickly as senior midfielder Jack Cavioli and junior attackmen Pratt Reynolds cut the Marist deficit to two goals, 13-11. Marist added an empty net goal and Siena added two late goals, but it was not enough as Marist secured the win.
Graduate student defender Kurt Wessner locked down on defense, causing two turnovers. The reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week junior defender Aidan McCaffrey had one caused turnover.
“It was due to all the guys playing great on-ball defense,” said Wessner. “We had a great week of practice, the scout guys did an amazing job all week and allowed us to really flourish when it came to the game.”
The Red Foxes welcome the second-place team in the MAAC in LIU on Saturday, April 13th at 7 p.m. Marist will recognize their seniors at Tenney Stadium.
Edited by Marley Pope
Photo/Graphic Credit: Jaylen Rizzo
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