UTICA, N.Y. (March 31, 2018) – The SUNY Delhi men's lacrosse team indulged in the role of spoiler Saturday afternoon in an upset bid of undefeated SUNY Poly. Looking to take advantage of the last day of March Madness, the Broncos led, 3-1, after the first quarter, and had the game knotted up at 5-5 near the end of the third quarter. The Wildcats, however, responded with six straight goals on their way to an 11-6 victory. Delhi now stands at 2-6, while SUNY Poly improved to 6-0.
Senior Jeremy Leary finished with two goals and two assists for a team-best four points Saturday, while Luke Anderson had three points on two goals and one assist. Malik Talbert scored two goals to add to his team-high season scoring total of 20 points on 14 goals and six assists. Keeper Eric Morse totaled 16 saves on 27 shots faced.
The Wildcats pounced on an early 1-0 lead before Anderson and Leary teamed up to score Delhi's ensuing three unanswered scores. Anderson netted the first two goals off Leary assists, then the two switched roles for the third one as Leary scored off a feed from Anderson with 1:55 remaining in the first period. Poly scored the first three goals of the second quarter, but Talbert tied the game for Delhi by adding to his team-leading scoring total with 4:18 to go in the half. The Wildcats got one more score in before halftime to lead 5-4 at intermission. After roughly 11 minutes of scoreless action to begin the third, Leary scored again on a man-up opportunity to tie things up at 5-5 with 3:53 to go in the quarter. Poly, unfortunately, jumped on a run to the tune of six straight goals to go ahead, 11-5, with 4:45 to play in the contest. Talbert wrapped up the scoring with an unassisted goal with 1:02 remaining.
The Broncos totaled 25 shots to the Wildcats' 40, converted on 17 of 22 clear attempts and forced Poly into 20 turnovers. Delhi was successful on 1-of-7 man-up chances, while the Wildcats were 1-of-1. Faceoff men Mitch Spaziani and Jacob Nygard totaled three faceoffs wins on 21 opportunities.
Coach Sam Miller's team heads to Houghton Wednesday for a mid-week matchup at 6:00 p.m.
