Koita, Balanced Offensive Attack Lead Drexel Past Fairfield, 21-9

Saturday, April 13

Vidas Field

4 p.m.

Drexel University

5-6, 1-2CAA

Fairfield

5-7, 0-3CAA

Fairfield

Drexel

Koita, Balanced Offensive Attack Lead Drexel Past Fairfield, 21-9

4/13/2019 7:16:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Jimmeh Koita won 24 face-offs and four players had hat tricks as Drexel defeated Fairfield, 21-9, in a Colonial Athletic Association game. The Dragons scored eight straight goals to turn a four-goal game into a one-sided victory on Saturday afternoon at Vidas Field. Ryan Genord and Matt Varian each had five points to lead the Dragons.

The Dragons (5-6, 1-2 CAA) led 13-9 after Fairfield's Patrick Drake scored in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. That turned out to be the Stags' last goal of the game. Drexel would rattle off three goals in a span of less than two minutes to start an 8-0 run to put the game away. Varian set up Reid Bowering for his third goal of the game to start the stretch. Senior Marshal King got the next two goals to put Drexel ahead 16-9 and seal the Dragons first CAA win of the year. Collin Mailman got his third of the day at the 7:44 mark as the Dragons were able to get a lot of their younger players into the game in the final minutes. Aidan Coll scored his first collegiate goal in the game, while Wade Shervin ended the run with his first of the season.

Drexel jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and never trailed in the game. It was one of the best offensive performances in recent memory for the Dragons and the first time the team has scored more than 20 goals in a game since 1998. Drexel scored 20 against Albany in 2013. The Dragons fired 60 shots in the game and had a 41-17 advantage on the ground.

Koita was spectacular all afternoon. The junior won 24 of his 29 face-off attempts and came within one win of tying his school record he set last season against the Stags. Koita recorded another 10-ground ball game and also picked up his first goal of the season.

Genord, a sophomore, had the best game of his young career. He scored a career-best four goals and also had an assist. Varian ended the day with a pair of goals and three assists. It was his fifth game this season with at least five points in a game. Bowering and King each had three scores and an assist. For Bowering, it was his 18th career hat trick, while King had his eighth career three-goal game. Ross Bluementhal made nine saves in 53 minutes in the cage to pick up the win.

Dyland Beckwith had a big offensive day for the Stags with three goals and three assists. Patrick Drake also had a hat trick. Sean Mckee made his first start of the season and had 15 stops.

The Dragons will face Hofstra next weekend in Hempstead. It will be yet another critical game as both teams are competing for the final playoff spots in the CAA.