THE BASICS:
 
- Score: MIT 17, Roger Williams University 12
 
- Records: MIT (5-0); RWU (2-3)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium)
 
- The Lead: A 7-1 run that spanned the first and second quarters gave MIT a lead it would not relinquish as it went on to defeat Roger Williams University, 17-12, in a non-conference men's lacrosse game on Wednesday night. Graduate student Ryan Gebhardt (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) amassed nine goals and three assists for the Engineers, tying the program records for goals and points in game. Noah Ravas and Ryan Phillips both produced two goals and two assists to lead the Hawks.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Matt Halpin opened the scoring after 52 seconds elapsed as strikes by Ryan Vendetti and Jack Kester increased RWU's lead to 3-0 four minutes into the game. A solo effort by Gebhardt shortly after the ensuing faceoff put MIT on the board, but Vendetti quickly found Tim Mullane. Gebhardt responded with another blast while senior Liam Miller's (Pasadena, Calif.) goal narrowed the gap to 4-3 at the 8:15 mark. The score remained unchanged until Mullane connected on a pass from Phillips with 4:46 on the clock. During the last 1:51 of the quarter, Gebhardt buried two goals and earned an assist on a strike by sophomore Bennett Stankovits (Rumson, N.J.), putting MIT in front, 6-5.
 
- The Engineers carried the momentum into the second stanza as goals by junior Tory Lentine (Flemington, N.J.) and Gebhardt capped the game-changing run. Jared Grier helped the Hawks come within one (8-7) as he recorded a man-up goal and then set up Halpin with 7:32 on the clock. MIT countered with three consecutive goals by Gebhardt and a blast by senior Gavin Vandenberg (Elmhurst, Ill.) to enter halftime with a 12-7 advantage.
 
- Phillips was a factor in both of RWU's goals in the third quarter as he set up Grier five minutes into the frame and then scored a man-up goal with 6:35 to go. MIT created some breathing room with just under two minutes remaining when Gebhardt connected on a feed from Vandenberg.
 
- The Engineers' margin grew to 16-9 midway through the fourth quarter as Gebhardt earned assists on goals by sophomore Heath Nilsen (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Stankovits, sandwiching a marker by sophomore Jack McCordic (Medfield, Mass.). Despite the deficit the Hawks continued to attack with Ravas posting back-to-back goals. Nilsen found the back of the net with 1:59 remaining as Phillips tacked on a man-up goal a minute later.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Vandenberg tallied one goal, three assists, and four caused turnovers as Nilsen posted two goals and two assists. First-year Matthew Sardis (Bernardsville, N.J.) won 25 of his 31 faceoff attempts and tied the program record for groundballs in a game with 21. Junior Andrew Johnson (Dover, Mass.) bolstered the defense with six groundballs as senior Lukas Drexler-Bruce (Denver, Colo.) collected 11 saves.
 
- Grier and Mullane both notched two goals and an assist while Grier added three groundballs. Michael Bussinelli chipped in three groundballs as Hunter Goodrow notched two caused turnovers. In net, Duncan Gillis made eight saves in the first half while Max Kimmel closed out the game with five saves.
 
- This was the first meeting between both programs since 1997, when they were rivals in the Pilgrim Lacrosse League Southeast Division. Roger Williams won the 1997 match up while MIT last defeated the Hawks in 1995.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- MIT will travel to RPI on Saturday, March 12 for a 1:00 p.m. game.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
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