PHILADELPHIA – Men's Lacrosse scored five goals in the third quarter after falling behind 6-0 early, but it was not enough to outlast the University of Pennsylvania Quakers, as they were defeated by a score of 11-8.
The Farrell Cup is played in honor of James (Penn '18) and Michael Farrell, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident in 2021. James played four years of collegiate lacrosse at Penn and was the team captain in 2018, while Michael was a student in the Villanova School of Business and was the team captain of Villanova's club lacrosse team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn struck six consecutive times to open the game over the first 32:52. Villanova shot seven times on goal and 16 total in the first half but was unable to capitalize.
Griffin Scane recorded a hat trick in the first half for the Quakers, en route to a five goal day.
To begin the second half, the Wildcats scored the first three goals, getting them on the board but also halving the deficit.
Quinton Cepiel,
Colin Michener, and
David Link all tallied a goal, which forced the Quakers to take a timeout.
Penn would then outscore the Wildcats 3-2 for the remainder of the quarter, pulling away to take a 9-5 lead.
Mack Prybylski scored on a man-down opportunity for his first goal since the win against Yale, and
Matt Licata scored with time winding down in the frame.
To start the fourth, the Wildcats cut back within three on Cepiel's second goal of the game on a scoop and score, picking up the rebound from a
Luke Raymond shot.
Penn was able to expand their lead out to 11-6, turning the valiant effort by VU unlikely.
With less than two minutes remaining,
Jake Melchionni scored on a beautiful sequence after
Brett Mallee blocked a shot, causing a turnover and sending it up the field to the sophomore.
The younger LSM had a standout game in his first game back in competition since Lehigh due to injury. He also dished out an assist, caused a turnover, and had six ground balls.
In addition to the assist, Mallee caused three total turnovers and scooped up three ground balls.
To round out the scoring for the Wildcats, Licata recorded his second goal of the game on a diving attempt off an assist from
Gavin Michener as time expired to bring the final score to within three.
In the cage,
Denis Fargione made his first career appearance against a ranked opponent and made nine saves. The freshman also forced a turnover and picked up four ground balls.
Villanova's faceoff unit, comprised of Sandoval and
Ryan Cunningham, went 15-23 on the day, with the graduate student leading in attempts 11-16, playing to a (.688%) clip. Sandoval recorded six consecutive wins to start the contest. The second in command, from Avondale, Pa., went 4/7 (.571%).
Penn goalie, and Tewaaraton Award Watch List nominee, Emmet Carroll had 14 saves, including eight in the first half while holding the 'Cats scoreless.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats complete their two-game road trip as they will take on Saint Joseph's on Saturday, March 15, at Sweeney Field. This will be their final of three consecutive matchups against the rest of the Philly 4.
TICKETING
Individual game tickets are available for the rest of the season; please check
here for more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming games.
SOCIAL
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