Topics

More

Men’s Lacrosse Dominates 20-7 In Season Opener, Freshman Class Rocks

Men’s lacrosse kicked off its 2016 season 1-0 with a 20-7 win over Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon. Unrelenting offense, seasoned veterans, and a stellar-looking freshman class cinched the opening day win for the Nittany Lions.

How It Happened

Penn State commanded the game early on, with Matt Florence’s first goal of the season coming in hot less than two minutes into play. Freshman Grant Ament fed the ball to Nick Aponte shortly after to give Penn State a 2-0 lead. Robert Morris let three more go unanswered from Ament, Chakey, and Brian Prestreau respectively. Goalie Will Schreiner almost managed a first-period shutout until the Colonials struck with 1:53 left. Florence wasn’t having that, and found the back of the net again to close the period out 6-1.

Robert Morris started the second period with a quick goal, narrowing its deficit to 6-2. After an uncharacteristically quiet first period, TJ Sanders woke up and found the back of the net twice-in-a-row for an 8-2 lead. Ament flexed his assisting prowess again, setting Mike Sutton up for a goal with 10:44 left in the second. Ament immediately did the same for Aponte’s second of the day, and Penn State enjoyed a comfortable 10-2 lead. Adding insult to Robert Morris’s injury, Florence and Sanders each tallied their third goals of the game for a pair of hat tricks and a 12-2 scoreboard. The goals just kept sliding in, and freshman Robby Black made it 13-2 with 5:42 left in the period. Prestreau’s second of the game closed out the period’s scoring, and Penn State rode into halftime with an offensive unit to be proud of.

Penn State’s freshman class struck again when Kevin Fox scored his first collegiate goal 21 seconds into the second half. Sanders netted his fourth, followed by Ament minutes later. Robert Morris left a whopping 11 goals unanswered until a breakaway finally gave it (a little) momentum with 7:02 left in the third period. The Colonials scored again, this time on the EMO, reducing Penn State’s lead to 17-4. At this point, Penn State coach Jeff Tambroni swapped Schreiner with freshman Trevor Scollins in net. The young class impressed again as Nick Spillane scored, prompting a Robert Morris timeout with 4:13 left in the third. Freshman Jimmy Nowoswiat got in on the action for a staggering 19-4 lead before the period’s end. Tambroni sent sophomore Hunter Pearl in between the posts, giving all starting-goalie contenders a chance.

Matt Donnelly scored his first unassisted, making a statement early in the final period. The period was largely uneventful until the Colonials had a late-game surge. In the final 2:45, they scored three including a buzzer-beater for a final score of 20-7.

Players Of The Game

While counting on rock-solid Sanders and Florence to notch hat tricks is fun, Penn State’s entire freshman class wins the day. Six freshmen netted their first collegiate goals and made us excited for the future in the process.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions look for their second win of the season on Saturday, February 13 vs. Hobart at Holuba Hall.

 

 

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Sara Civian

Sara Civian is one of Onward State's three ridiculously good looking managing editors, a hockey writer at heart, and an Oxford comma Stan. She's a senior majoring in journalism, minoring in history, and living at Bill Pickle's Tap Room. Her favorite pastimes are telling people she's from Boston, watching the Bruins, and meticulously dissecting the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. She's seen Third Eye Blind live 14 times. If you really hate yourself, you can follow her at @SaraCivian or email her at [email protected].

Gameday Coverage: No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 1 Oregon

For the first time since 2016, it’s time to watch the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship.

No. 3 Penn State Women’s Volleyball Dominates Delaware State In NCAA Tournament Opener

The Nittany Lions advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament following a dominant sweep.

Four-Star Tight End Alex Olesh Flips Commitment To Penn State Football From Michigan

Olesh was committed to Michigan since July 8.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
62.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Sara

Penn State Hockey Defenseman Vince Pedrie Signs With New York Rangers

Penn State hockey sophomore defenseman Vince Pedrie will forgo his last two years of college eligibility to sign with the New York Rangers. Pedrie announced his decision via Instagram (what a time to be alive, right?) Monday night.

[Column] Penn State Hockey Became Elite This Season And It’s Just The Beginning

Penn State Ruined College Hockey And It Could Hardly Care