ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senior Spencer Bell scored four goals to lead the RIT men's lacrosse team (18-1) to a 22-6 win over Albion (15-5) in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- RIT's sophomore John Mozrall tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Tigers to a 5-1 lead after the opening stanza.
- Bell, seniors Conor Bollin, Marley Angus and Quinn Commandant each tallied a goal for RIT's scoring in the first quarter.
- Albion's Jace Conley tallied an unassisted goal with 7:57 remaining in the first that cut the Tigers lead to 3-1.
- Bell scored twice in the second quarter, while Traynor tallied a goal and an assist to help the Tigers to an 11-4 halftime lead.
- RIT scored the first five goals of the second, extending its lead to 10-1 on junior Luke Pilcher's goal from senior Pent Eistrat.
- Seniors Zeb Hollinger and Ryan Barnable each scored in the second for the Tigers.
- Albion reeled off three goals late in the quarter, cutting the team's deficit to six (10-4), thanks to Sam Puzevic's goal with :42 seconds to play in the first half.
- Traynor scored with :02 seconds off a feed from Bollin to give RIT a seven-goal lead at halftime.
- Bell scored twice in a seven-goal outburst by RIT in the third quarter. He scored twice at the end of the quarter off assists from freshman Sam Bennett and sophomore Mike Grace to help RIT improve its lead to 12 (18-6).
- Commandant had a goal and an assist in the third, while sophomore Ian Dinga scored.
- Conley and Brendan Mercier netted a goal apiece in the third quarter for Albion.
- Dinga, Bruno, sophomore Seth Grottenthaler and Bollin each scored in the fourth quarter for RIT to make it a 22-6 final.
GAME NOTES
- RIT fired 66 shots, including 40 on target.
- The defending Division III national champions are making their 12th-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and 23rd overall.
- RIT has reached the quarterfinals 16 times, played in 11 national semifinal games, and advanced to the national championship game three times (2021, 2017 and 2013).
- RIT finished 23-of-23 on clearing attempts, won 25-of-31 draws and had 53 ground balls.
- 17 Tigers tallied at least one point.
- Senior Drew Hutchison made six saves in net for RIT to improve to 18-1 on the season.
- Pilcher finished with three goals.
- Commandant, Bollin and junior Dylan Bruno each tallied two goals and an assist.
- Traynor and Mozrall both finished the game with a three points (1G, 2A), while Bennett handed out a season-high three assists for three points.
- Freshman Carson Taylor won 18-of-24 draws and scooped up a career-high 16 ground balls.
- Conley led Albion with two goals and an assist, while Sam Puzevic scored a pair of goals.
- Jack Gogonis made 18 saves in net for the Britons.
UP NEXT
RIT will host MIT in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday (May 15) at 3:00 P.M. The winner advances to the NCAA quarterfinals next weekend.