Teams: Men's Lacrosse: Schedule & Results

NINE-GOAL FIRST PERIOD CARRIES TUFTS TO 19-4 WIN OVER BOWDOIN

COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE FINAL SCORE
Tufts 19, Bowdoin 4

At Medford, MA
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Game Box Score

Senior Mike Cortese scored twice in the first period to help Tufts to a 9-0 lead

MEDFORD -- The Tufts University men's lacrosse team scored nine times in the first period and went on to earn a convincing 19-4 NESCAC victory over 19th ranked Bowdoin College on Bello Field Saturday afternoon.

In a stunningly dominant first period, Tufts scored its nine goals without allowing a Bowdoin shot on goal. Tufts sophomore Mike Droesch (Setauket, NY) won 9 of 10 face offs in the period, Tufts had a 17-6 margin in ground balls and the Jumbos posted a 23-2 advantage for total shots in the first 15 minutes. Senior Mike Cortese (Saratoga Springs, NY) and freshman Ryan Molloy (Setauket, NY) both scored twice for Tufts in the period.

Bowdoin stemmed the Jumbo momentum early in the second period with goals by Mike Giordano (Washington, DC) and Owen Smith (Brunswick, ME) to make the score 9-2. However, the Jumbos would score three of the next four goals, including two by junior Clem McNally (Far Hills, NJ), and led 12-3 at intermission.

A 4-0 third period put the Jumbo lead at 16-3 and both teams emptied their benches for most of the fourth quarter.

McNally finished with a game-high five goals for Tufts. Senior Connor Ginsberg (New Haven, CT) also had a five-point game with two goals and three assists. Molloy recorded three goals and an assist. Junior Matt Harrigan (Darnestown, MD) took the win in goal, playing 52:48 and making 10 saves. Droesch finished 16 for 22 on draws.

The 19 goals were the most scored by Tufts since a 19-8 win over Endicott on March 22, 2003. The 15-goal margin of victory is the best by a Tufts team since an 18-3 final versus MIT on March 12, 2005. With Tufts (7-4, 4-2 NESCAC) third in the league and Bowdoin (6-4, 2-3) fourth entering the game, the Jumbos added to their advantage in the hunt for a NESCAC Tournament home-field berth.

Bowdoin, which was out-shot 59-27 overall, was led by a pair of goals from Giordano. Senior defenseman Brian Orr (Simsbury, CT) finished with four ground balls. Senior goalie Alex Gluck (Chevy Chase, MD) came on in relief and made 14 saves in 37:48 of play. The Polar Bears took seven penalties, on which Tufts scored three man-up goals, including two in the first period.

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