Lafayette Holds Off Drexel, 13-11

Tuesday, February 22

Easton, Pa.

7:30 p.m.

Drexel University

0-2

Lafayette

2-1

Drexel

Lafayette

Photo by: Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos

2/22/2022 9:33:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette scored twice early in the fourth quarter to break a 9-9 tie and the Leopards went on to defeat Drexel, 13-11.

Lafayette (2-1) scored twice in the game's first 2:15, but Drexel (0-2) scored four of the next five goals to take a 4-3 lead. Max Semple started the Drexel scoring with his first collegiate goal, a rifle low to high from the right side. Ryan Genord dodged from goal line extended to even it at 2-2 just a little more than five minutes into the game. Macklin Fitzpatrick got the lead back for Lafayette midway through the period before Drexel scored the next two goals, one by Sean Donnelly and the other by Casey Waller. The Drexel lead was short lived as Lafayette closed the first period with two goals in a span of just 13 seconds. Both of the Leopards' goals were scored by Peter Lehman, who finished the first quarter with three scores.

The Leopards appeared to take control of the game in the second period. After Drexel cut the lead to one at 6-5, Lafayette closed the half with three straight goals, including one by Kalman Kraham with just 14 seconds to play. The Leopards went to intermission ahead, 9-5. However, the Dragons came out with a strong third quarter and cut the lead to just one goal. Drexel's defense held the Leopards scoreless in the third and scored three times, one by Semple, one by Ronnie Gunter and the final goal by Donnelly at the 7:18 mark. Drexel appeared to tie it late in the third but was called for a crease violation as Lafayette led going to the fourth, 9-8.

The Dragons finally tied the game early in the fourth quarter when Genord had his second of the night. That gave Drexel some momentum, but the Dragons were unable to take advantage. Cole Dutton broke the tie for Lafayette with 10:22 to go in the game. Jacob Freeman then scored the first of his two fourth quarter goals to give the Leopards an 11-9 lead. Genord and Freeman then alternated goals before Kraham gave Lafayette a three-goal cushion with 3:16 to play. Semple scored with under two minutes to play to cut it to a two-point game, but Lafayette held on to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Dragons. Drexel had its opportunities in the fourth, but committed five of its 17 turnovers in the final stanza.

Donnelly, Genord and Semple each had hat tricks in a losing cause for Drexel. Genord added a pair of assists for a five-point night. Ross Blumenthal played the first half in the cage and made four saves while allowing nine goals. Drew McGill made his first collegiate appearance and had six saves on 10 shots on goal in the final 30 minutes.

Lehman had three goals and an assist to lead Lafayette, while Kraham also scored three times. Gabe Cummins recorded nine saves in picking up the victory. Drexel outshot Lafayette, 40-36, but the Leopards won 17 of 26 face-offs in the game.

The Dragons play their first home game this Saturday, when UAlbany comes to Philadelphia. The Great Danes and Dragons face-off at noon at Vidas Field.