Gulls capture ECAC title with dominating win over Lasell
May 11, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - Endicott College outscored Lasell College, 13-1, in the final three quarters of play, posting an impressive, 15-3, win over the Lasers in the ECAC New England Men's Lacrosse Championship game on Sunday afternoon in Beverly, Massachusetts. The win marks the first ECAC title in Endicott men's lacrosse program history, while also setting a new record for victories in a year with 18.
Endicott was quick to build a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the opening quarter as Brad Lipkvich (Madison, Conn.) came streaking out of the Endicott sideline box uncovered to the net. Junior Nick Cosco (Londonderry, N.H.) spotted the EC midfielder and hit him in stride for an easy uncontested goal, and a quick 1-0 lead. Brandon Dube (Danvers, Mass.) scored his first of three just moments later, as he danced out in front of the Lasell net and buried a lay-up top-shelf for the two goal cushion.
Lasell came firing back as the first quarter came to a close. Derek Allan (Billerica, Mass.) was the beneficiary of a beautiful fake-shot and dish look from Brandon Keith (Marston Mills, Mass.), scoring on the backdoor feed to make it a one-goal game. The Lasers tied it up at 2-all with 24 ticks left in the first frame, as Keith fought off two defenders and beat goaltender Eric Hagarty (Sudbury, Mass.) to even the contest.
The Gulls' defense locked it down in the second quarter, holding Lasell to just two shots and no goals in the second. The Blue and Green got tallies from John Curtis (Chelmsford, Mass.), Nick Cosco and Eddie O'Reilly (Beverly, Mass.) to send the hosts into the intermission with a 5-2 lead.
Endicott came out of the break flying as Lipkvich scored his second of the day just 34 seconds into the third quarter off a pass from Nick Cosco. Endicott made it 7-2 just two minutes later as David Scarfo (Billerica, Mass.) got on the board with a quick-stick to the lower-right hand corner. After a Derek Allan goal at the 10:18 mark of the third, Endicott put the game away by scoring the final eight goals to post the 15-3 win.
Endicott's John Orotlani (Billerica, Mass.) was named the ECAC New England Men's Lacrosse Tournament Most Valuable Player, as the Gulls' face-off man posted dominating numbers in a pair of weekend games. On Saturday, Ortolani went 22-of-30 at the face-off X, dished out two assists, and posted a game-high 18 groundballs. In the championship game, the Endicott senior went 17-of-20, had 15 groundballs, and handed-out another pair of assists. For the weekend, Ortolani was 39-of-50 with 33 groundballs and four helpers.
Eddie O'Reilly, Brandon Dube and Brad Lipkvich each ended Sunday with three goals apiece. Nick Cosco had a goal and three assists, while five other Gulls had a goal in the win. Sophomore goalie Eric Hagarty made 12 saves for the Blue and Green.
Lasell was paced by Derek Allan's two goals. Brandon Keith had a goal and an assist while teammate Mike Maggio (Winchester, Mass.) had an assist in the losing effort. Senior goalkeeper Mark DeMieri (Seaford, N.Y.), who was visibly limping for three of the four quarters, was once against stellar in the Laser's net, as he made 20 saves including 12 in the first half.
Endicott closes out its season with a program-best, 18-3, overall record. The Gulls, who achieved top-15 status nationally, will raise their first-ever ECAC Championship banner next fall. Endicott should once again be one of the top teams in New England next year, as the Blue and Green lose just three seniors.