CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 5 RPI generated an 8-1 run that spanned the second and third quarters, helping it pull away for a 17-10 victory over the MIT men's lacrosse team in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon. Junior
Garrett Campagna (Lancaster, Pa.) tallied one goal, three assists, and three groundballs for MIT while sophomore Easton Morse (Dracut, Mass.) generated five goals, three assists, six groundballs, and a caused turnover for RPI.
THE BASICS:
- Score: No. 5 RPI 17, MIT 10
- Records: MIT (2-2 Overall); No. 5 RPI (7-0 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Morse was a factor in the first three goals of the game as he earned an assist on a blast by senior Evan Whatley (Glenelg, Md.) just 1:03 into the game and then he recorded a pair of unassisted strikes.
- Junior Zach Bleil (New Canaan, Conn.) put MIT on the board at the 9:54 mark and over four minutes later, the hosts tied the game at 3-3. Junior Bryce Metalios (Riverside, Conn.) redirected a feed from Campagna for a man-up goal. Graduate student Andrew Palleiko (Hopkinton, Mass.) won the ensuing faceoff and set up senior Nick Stiles (New Canaan, Conn.) for the equalizer with 5:25 on the clock.
- RPI responded with a pair of quick goals to end the quarter with a 5-3 edge. Sophomore Owen Stesney (Winchester, Mass.) registered a man-up goal, which was followed by a marker from junior Tyler Ruffini (Setauket, N.Y.).
- The visitors recorded a trio of goals during the first five minutes of the second stanza, with Morse producing a goal and an assist.
- MIT countered with its own three-goal burst which brought it within 8-6 with 4:52 left. A solo effort by Campagna was followed by an unassisted goal from first-year Riley Pierce (Vestavia, Ala.). Metalios capped the rally by connecting on a pass from Campagna.
- Morse quickly created some breathing room by scoring on a feed from graduate student Erik Ojert (Doylestown, Pa.). However, sophomore Ashton Axe (Portola Valley, Calif.) collected the groundball following the faceoff and found the back of the net to once again bring MIT within two (9-7) with 4:17 to go.
- This was as close as it would get as RPI scored twice heading into halftime, kicking off its pivotal 8-1 run that increased the lead to 17-8 at the end of the third quarter.
- Bleil and Metalios both added a goal in the fourth quarter, resulting in the only scoring of the period.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Metalios posted a hat trick while Stiles finished with two goals and one assist.
- Palleiko, junior Isaiah Nathaniel (Scotch Plains, N.J.), and first-year Alexander Shen (Atherton, Calif.) each picked up four groundballs while senior Brennan Hoppa (Hampstead, N.H.) notched three groundballs and two caused turnovers.
- In net, junior Collin Lung (Lynbrook, N.Y.) tallied 13 saves and four groundballs.
- Graduate student Zach Swanson (Hingham, Mass.) registered two goals and two assists while Whatley added one goal and two assists for RPI.
- Ruffini generated three goals, three caused turnovers, and two groundballs as graduate student Angelo Venuto (Sudbury, Mass.) won 19 of 25 faceoffs and collected 12 groundballs.
- In net, senior Joseph Perry (Barrington, R.I.) ended the day with 13 saves, three groundballs, one caused turnover, and an assist.
UP NEXT:
- MIT will open up NEWMAC play on Saturday, March 15 when it visits Clark University for a 3:00 PM game.
- RPI returns to action on Wednesday, March 19 when it travels to Williams College for a 6:30 PM start.
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