box score
UTICA, NY – In an important NEAC lacrosse match-up, Hilbert College took a 13-7 victory from SUNYIT April 22. Sean Purtill carried the blue and white scoring five goals and assisting on three more as Hilbert improved to 4-2. With the road win, the Hawks continue to hold onto fourth place in league standings as they fight for that last playoff spot. SUNYIT dropped to 2-6 (2-11 overall).
Hilbert had a consistent scoring day, as they outscored SUNYIT three of the four quarters and defensively held the Wildcats to one goal in each of the middle periods. Statistically, SUNYIT dominated the restarts by winning 18 of the 24 face-offs and picked up 33 ground balls compared to 25 for the Hawks. Hilbert was more successful going 3 for 8 on extra-man opportunities (vs. SUNYIT’s 3-11) and were credited with fewer turnovers (25-31).
SUNYIT opened the scoring thirty-five seconds into the game before the ‘Nicks’ connected (Cavalieri to Kieffer) to even the score at 12:24. Purtill (Kieffer) earned the Hawks first lead which they held for five minutes until SUNYIT went on their only scoring run of the game. The Wildcats took a 3-2 lead into the quarter break which turned out to be their only advantage the rest of the way.
After Cavalieri scored his first of the day in the second quarter, Elliot Russillio scored three straight to give Hilbert a 6-4 half time hold. Over the next 30 minutes of play, Hilbert outscored SUNYIT 7-3 with Purtill taking the charge (4g). Kyle MacKowiak started the second half rush with his first score of the season from his defensive position on the field. William Wagner earned his fifth career win in goal finishing with 11 saves.
In a newly acquired home game, Hilbert squares off against Medaille College April 25 in a play-off clinching game for both the programs. As of Sunday, Hilbert sits in fourth, Medaille in fifth with two games remaining on each team’s schedule. The Hawks still have to travel to league-leading Morrisville (6-0) and the Mavericks still have to host PS Abington (0-6), both games are scheduled for April 28.