BOX SCORE
HAMBURG, NY – The Hilbert College men’s lacrosse team took to their home field for the first time in the 2012 season and suffered a 12-11 loss to NEAC opponent Cazenovia College March 22. It was a tough fought battle on the hot March day, but the Wildcats outlasted the Hawks with a huge third quarter when they scored six goals.
After Cazenovia claimed a 3-2 start in the first period, Hilbert answered back. Doug Takac led the charge for the Hawks, opening up the scoring just seconds into the second period. Elliot Russillio tallied next, with another Takac goal close behind. John Pingitore scored for the Hawks before Sean Purtill's goal with 4:47 left gave Hilbert a 7-5 lead at half time.
After the Wildcat’s triumphant six-goal third period, Purtill {in photo to right} tied the game in the fourth period knotting the game at 11. With 4:37 left on the game clock, Cazenovia’s TJ Shaw sealed the visitor's victory with one final goal.
Hilbert’s Takac finished with four goals on 11 shot attempts and added one assist. Purtill added three goals on seven attempts with two assists of his own for the Hawks. Other contributors for Hilbert were Pingitore with two goals, Bill Moleins with one and Russillio with one. For Cazenovia, Shaw and Taylor Hastrich each had four goals in the win.
For the game, Hilbert had 46 shot attempts compared to Cazenovia’s 24. The Hawks also won the battle in ground balls (25-15) and committed fewer turnovers (9-13). Cazenovia’s goalie, Pat Boyle, recorded 13 saves for the game, compared to three saves by Hilbert’s goalies Tyler Catalfano and William Wagner.
The Hawks drop to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the NEAC. Hilbert travels to Alfred University on March 24 before returning home to face SUNY Cobleskill on March 28 in another NEAC game.