Utica, NY – Men's lacrosse traveled up to play SUNY Poly in the semifinal game of the North Atlantic Conference playoffs, defeating the Wildcats in a close battle 9-6. The win over the second-seeded Poly marks the first NAC playoff win for coach Miller and the Broncos since joining in 2019.
After previously losing to Poly in their last game of the regular season, the green and gold got their revenge, holding the Wildcats to their lowest-scored goal total since their first game of the season. Delhi will move on to face the winners of Maine Maritime and Husson in the championship game on May 7th at 1:00 PM hosted by Maine Maritime.
How it Happened:
After the Wildcats struck first with a goal in the first minute of play, sophomore Benjamin Moscatiello quickly made his impact felt after returning from an injury with a ranged goal assisted by a great Brett Fischer effort.
The Broncos poured in two more goals in the first quarter while holding Poly to just two shots on goal. Senior Kyle Brogan broke the stalemate with a wonderful solo effort, bouncing off multiple defenders to slot the ball away. Then with just 16 seconds remaining, Moscatiello would grab a crucial ground ball and dish it to Jagger Beachak who made a nice pass to assist Jack McClurg.
The second quarter would see only four combined shots until McClurg added another goal for the green and gold with 1:40 remaining. He made a smart defensive play on the Poly defensive side, forcing a turnover from the goalkeeper and then beating him with a bounce shot.
Delhi came out quick in the second half, scoring in just 20 seconds after Moscatiello put away his second goal with an assist from Sean Dalton. The Wildcats would make a run, scoring three straight before Moscatiello added another for a hat-trick. Poly would score one more time making the score 6-5 Delhi going into the fourth.
The game would be tied just seven seconds into the fourth with the Wildcats scoring off the faceoff. McClurg would then step up and send the Broncos ahead again with another groundball and a quick shot from a Poly goalkeeper turnover.
The Broncos would pull ahead 8-6 with 6:24 left after an incredible transition team goal started by a Donavon Johnson Moline ground ball and capped off by Jack McClurg's fourth goal of the night. Beachak would then add the final dagger in the final two minutes stretching the lead out 9-6.
Moscatatiello played a huge role in his return scoring three goals, causing two turnovers and picking up three ground balls. McClurg led the Broncos with some huge goals, tying his season-high four goals. The duo up top wreaked havoc all game and came up with some big plays.
The Delhi defense continued to prove why they are one of the toughest in the conference, anchored by sophomore goalkeeper Samuel Steng who posted a .647 save percentage on 11 shots on goal. Senior Sean Dalton and junior Johnson Moline combined for eight caused turnovers and five ground balls as they held the Wildcats to their second-lowest goal total of the season.
What's Next:
The Broncos will face the winners of Maine Maritime and Husson in the North Atlantic Championship on Sunday, May 7th at 1:00 PM at Maine Maritime.
