Rockville Centre, N.Y. - The men's lacrosse team, after a 354 day hiatus, returned to the field of competition with a victory over Wheeling University, 16-8. The Lions improved to 1-0 on the season while the Cardinals fell to 1-2 with the loss.

How it Happened

• Molloy netted the first two goals of the game from the sticks of sophomore Sean Plasencia and freshman Jason Rebaudo. The Cardinals responded with two of their own in a matter of just 90 seconds. 
• The Lions responded by closing the opening quarter of play with three unanswered goals from freshman Chris Delaney and two from sophomore Ryan Downing to close the quarter with a 5-2 advantage. 
• Wheeling would strike first in the second frame, but Downing added two more goals, to go with one from Plasencia to keep Molloy in front, 8-3.
• The Cardinals would cut the lead to 8-4, but senior Nick Del Giorno ended t he first half with his first goal of the season to take a 9-4 lead into halftime.
• Senior Darryl Hilaire netted Molloy's lone goal in the third quarter, giving the Lions a 10-6 advantage headed into the final 15 minutes of action.
• Del Giorno scored twice in the first five minutes, paired with one from junior Richie Polizzi, Jr., to give Molloy a 13-6 lead before the visitors took advantage of a man-up opportunity to make it 13-7. 
• Plasencia, freshman Brendan McDonough, and junior Brian Ford each scored in the final eight minutes to round out the maroon and white's offense on the afternoon, sealing the 16-8 victory. 

Top Performances

• Plasencia topped Molloy with six points on three goals and three assists. Downing netted four goals, while Rebaudo (one goal, two assists) and Del Giorno (three goals) each added three points. 
• Sophomore Scott Capicchioni, Hilaire, Polizzi, Delaney, and graduate students Colin Kotarski and Jeff Hauser each recorded assists on the afternoon.
• Polizzi led the team with nine ground balls while freshman Denver Tveter and senior Sean Colbert each forced three turnovers. 
• Freshman Hunter Irving went 10-of-27 from the face-off dot. 
• Freshman Adam Hyman made seven saves in the victory. 

Up Next
The maroon and white welcome #3 Mercyhurst University on Sunday (Mar. 7) at 12:00 p.m.