Rockville Centre, N.Y. (Apr. 14, 2018) - Sophomore Colin Kotarski and senior Tim Steinman each netted two goals in a 10-8 victory over Wheeling Jesuit University for men's lacrosse to close out non-league play for 2018. With the victory, the Lions improve to 7-5 on the season headed into the final three contests.
While Molloy fell behind early, freshman Nick Del Giorno fed passes to both Steinman and junior Michael Scheuerer, both on man up opportunities, to give the home team a 2-1 lead. The next three markers, however, belonged to the Cardinals.
Kotarski found the back of the net twice in the final three minutes of the opening half to knot the score, 4-4, at the break.
Steinman's second goal, paired with a man-up marker from sophomore Travis Cooksey, put Molloy in front, 6-4. Wheeling Jesuit countered with a goal of its own to make it a one-goal game, but Del Giorno found the back of the net to give the home team a two-goal cushion headed to the final 15 minutes of play.
The Lions increased its lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter following goals from defensemen junior Mike Durkin and senior Zach Antonette.
The Cardinals made a late push, scoring three goals in six minutes to make it a one-goal game, 9-8, with just over five minutes to play.
Sophomore Kevin Pastier converted on a man-up opportunity with 2:13 remaining to give Molloy a 10-8 lead. Wheeling Jesuit threatened in the final seconds of play, firing two shots just wide of the net, sealing the victory for the Lions.
Kotarski led the offensive effort for Molloy, tallying four points on two goals and two assists. Steinman (two goals, one assist), Pastier (one goal, two assists), and Del Giorno (one goal, two assists) each recorded three points for the maroon and white.
Junior Justin English went 16-of-22 on face-offs, picking up a game-high 11 ground balls. Durkin and Cooksey each scooped up three, with Durkin causing a team-leading three turnovers. Senior Ryan Toomey made eight saves in net in the victory.
Molloy returns to action on Saturday (Apr. 21) as the team heads to Sparkill, N.Y. for an East Coast Conference match-up against Saint Thomas Aquinas College at 3:00 p.m.
