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| RIT's Taylor Wisman shields the ball from Skidmore defenseman Clark Demos during RIT's 19-10 win in their last home game of the regular season, Saturday April 2. |
| Josh Barber |
It may be that the only ones who enjoyed the weather on Sunday,
April 18 were the ducks who kept flying low over the lacrosse
field. The rain and wind didn’t let up at all during the game, but
neither did the Tigers. RIT squared off against the Skidmore
Thoroughbreds for their final home game of the season. The weather
was miserable, but the Tigers’ level of play was excellent. Said Lou
Spiotti, RIT’s Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, “We were
concerned that Skidmore was going to be a handful, because they’ve
played everybody competitively this year — they’re a good team; a
young team. I think we took care of business today.”
The direction of the game became perfectly clear during the first
quarter. Fourth year Industrial Design major A.J. Tingle scored the
first goal for RIT four minutes into the game. This was promptly
answered with two Skidmore goals in the next minute: by second year
Richie Davis and by third year Mike Perlow. Skidmore’s lead lasted
all of one minute, when first year Civil Engineering major Brendan
MacDonald put in the tying goal. The Tigers’ momentum picked up as
four consecutive goals were scored. The Thoroughbreds began to close
the score gap with two goals before the quarter ended, but the Tigers
scored again with a minute left. The final score after the first quarter
was RIT 7, Skidmore 4.
The Tigers started the second quarter hard and fast, with second
year Environmental Management major P.J. Hart scoring only eight
seconds in. Players from both teams were on the ground trying to gain
possession of the ball after the next face-off, ultimately ending in a
penalty for Skidmore. RIT held Skidmore to one goal that quarter,
while scoring five themselves. At the halftime break, RIT had 12 goals,
Skidmore, 5. “We were firing on all cylinders offensively,” observed
Spiotti. The Tigers’ offensive rigor had other benefits besides a handy
win, as Spiotti noted. “It was nice, the fact that with the differential in
the score, we got to play some of the players that haven’t had a chance
to play much this year,” he said.
This change in lineup could not shake the Tigers, who were leading
by ten points by the end of the third period. “They played like I thought
they would play,” said Spiotti. “Defensively, we are very, very tough.”
This strong defense included six saves in the third period alone by
RIT goaltender Anthony DeLeo, a second year Industrial and Systems
Engineering major. His legs were covered in mud from the effort.
There were no penalties during the fourth quarter, though neither
team gave up aggressively pursuing the ball. The Thoroughbreds
racked up 12 turnovers over the quarter, but managed to maintain
possession long enough to make four shots on goal. They scored on all
four. The Tigers also scored three goals in the final quarter.
RIT finished with 19 goals over Skidmore’s 10. This leaves the Tigers
with a record of 11-2 overall. “I’m excited about this team; we’ve had a
fine season,” said Spiotti. “The bittersweet part is, [for] the 12 seniors,
this is their last home game.” Some family members handed roses to
their players after the game.
The team will play one more away game at St. Lawrence before
moving on to tournaments in May.
