Sparkill, N.Y. - The men's lacrosse team bested the Spartans of Saint Thomas Aquinas College this afternoon in the Lions' final East Coast Conference game of the regular season. Molloy's 19-6 victory sets the team at an even 8-8 on the season and 3-3 in East Coast Conference play and should lock up the fourth-seed in the upcoming East Coast Conference Championship. The Spartans fell to 5-10 (2-3 ECC) in the loss.

How it Happened

• Sophomore Brandon Pazienza won the opening face-off, dishing the ball to sophomore Justin Palulis, who gave the Lions a lead just nine second into the contest.
• Senior Jack Herzlinger, redshirt freshman Brian Green, and junior Noah Taylor followed with goals in the first quarter before Ryan Christensen got the Spartans on the board.
• Palulis' second of the game ended the first frame with Molloy ahead 5-1.
• The Spartans would be kept off the board in the second quarter and goals from Palulis, Herzlinger, junior Tommy Corcoron, seniors Chris Delaney and Mikey Rodin, and freshman Michael McClain increased the lead to 11-1.
• Christensen netted his second of the contest to open the second half, but four more goals from the Lions made it 15-2 headed into the final 15 minutes of play.
• The Spartans would score the first three goals of the fourth quarter, but goals from Rodin, junior Bryan Diliberto, and freshman Owen Taylor maintained the Lions' advantage.

Top Performances

• Delaney matched a season-high seven points on two goals and five assists to lead Molloy. The senior also added three ground balls.
• Palulis had a hat trick and tallied an assist for four points to go with five ground balls.
• Diliberto and Owen Taylor each had two goals and one assist for three points.
• Herzlinger (two goals), Corcoron (two goals), Rodin (two goals), and sophomore Ryan Polkehinke (two assists) each added two points.
• Green, Noah Taylor, McClain, and junior Robert Gazzano found the back of the net with Pazienza, junior Dre Alexis, and freshman Nick Papa dishing out assists.
• Pazienza had an impressive day at the face-off dot, going 14-of-16 and picking up 11 ground balls.
• Sophomore Thomas Kofod matched a season-high seven ground balls while Green and senior Adam Hyman each added three.
• Noah Taylor and freshman Thomas Gaffney each forced two turnovers.
• Junior Christian Michaels made five saves in the win. Sophomore John Basile made five saves in relief.

Up Next
The Lions will end the regular season on the road on Friday (Apr. 26) at Wilmington University at 3:00 p.m.