Teams: Men's Lacrosse: Schedule & Results

MOLLOY SCORES EIGHT AS JUMBOS DRUB BATES, 22-3

COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE FINAL SCORE
Tufts 22, Bates 3

At Medford, MA
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Game Box Score

Ryan Molloy scored eight goals, tied for second most in team history

MEDFORD -- Sophomore Ryan Molloy (Setauket, NY) scored eight goals, one shy of the Tufts University men's lacrosse single-game record, and the Jumbos set a team record for goals in a NESCAC game with a 22-3 rout of Bates College on Tuesday night under the lights at Bello Field.

Ranked fifth nationally, Tufts moved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the league. The Jumbos have out-scored their opponents 137-58 this year. In the last nine days, they have produced two of the four best single-game scoring totals in Tufts history. That includes a 26-3 win against Mount Ida on March 23. Bates' record fell to 2-7 overall and 0-5 in NESCAC.

Ironically, the game started slowly for the hosts. They did not get on the scoreboard until 4:50 remained in the first quarter on a man-up goal by sophomore Matt Witko (Chappaqua, NY). He scored the second Tufts goal at 2:30, but Bates sophomore Evan Bagley (Cape Elizabeth, ME) made it 2-1 with 48 seconds left in the period. The Jumbos won the ensuing face-off (they were 22 for 28 in that category for the game), and Molloy scored his first with 30 seconds remaining to give Tufts a 3-1 lead after one.

The next four goals were scored by Molloy and each was assisted by classmate D.J. Hessler (Monkton, MD), who finished with three goals and four assists. Tufts led 8-1 when Hessler scored one of his own at 2:50 of the second period, and that's how it went to halftime.

The Jumbos dramatically dominated the third, scoring 10 goals and shutting out Bates for the second straight period. They posted a 19-3 advantage in shots, won 10 of the 11 face-offs and stopped the Bobcats on five of seven clearing attempts in the period. After three more goals by Molloy, two from Hessler, two by senior tri-captain Clem McNally (Far Hills, NJ), two for freshman Kevin McCormick (Laytonsville, MD) and the final goal of the quarter by sophomore T.C. Neuhs (Rockville Center, NY), Tufts led 18-1.

In the fourth, freshman Sean Kirwan (Booton Township, NJ) scored three times for Tufts. Bates got goals by sophomore George O'Connor (Loudonville, NY) and freshman Jacob Hichborn (Yarmouth, ME). The Jumbos held Bates scoreless for 41:01 until O'Connor's strike at 4:47 of the fourth.

Tufts junior face-off man Mike Droesch (Setauket, NY) was 9 of 11 in the game and finished with four assists. Senior tri-captain Jordan Yarboro (Herndon, VA) was a stalwart on defense and scooped up three ground balls. The Jumbos won that battle 59-39 overall.  They held Bates to 17 for 38 in clears. Senior goalie Matt Harrigan (Darnestown, MD) played three quarters and made 10 saves. Molloy's eight goals are one shy of the record nine that David Perry scored at Regis University in Colorado on March 16, 1996. Molloy tied the mark of eight scored by Dan German versus MIT in 1977.

Starters Nate Kellogg (Natick, MA), Matt Knortz (East Granby, CT) and Adam Scharff (Glyndon, MD) had three ground balls apiece for Bates. Scharff was sharp early in goal before he was besieged, and finished with 15 saves in 56:40 of play.

Tufts travels to Trinity for a NESCAC game on Saturday, while Bates will host Connecticut College that day.

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