Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY KYLE MAIER, SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
The St. Bonaventure University’s men’s lacrosse team won its first game of the season Tuesday after beating Canisius University 12-8.
Senior midfielder Jackson Webster opened up scoring for the Golden Griffins (2-5) before the Bonnies (1-5) answered with four goals from four different players in the first quarter.
Freshman attacker Jake Kucinski netted SBU’s first score of the game. Two minutes later, graduate student attacker Mark Belles netted a goal of his own to go up, 2-1.
The Brown and White proceeded to lead the rest of the way.
Freshman attacker Patrick Shanahan and junior midfielder Kyle Pepper scored the last two goals of the quarter to put the Bonnies ahead 4-1.
Canisius fought back early in the second quarter, scoring two goals in the first five minutes to cut the deficit to 4-3.
SBU responded with a 5-0 run behind the offensive of Shanahan and Kucinski. The duo scored a pair of goals each, both securing hat tricks.
“The upperclassmen, the fifth years especially, teach me so much about the game and how to get better,” said Shanahan. “We’re so fortunate to have those guys to learn from. Our coaches put us in great spots to make plays and that’s what it really comes down to. It’s great that we finally got it done on the scoreboard now.”
Graduate student attacker Kellen Pulera capped off the fifth goal to put the Bonnies ahead 9-3 going into the half.
An offensive surge to start the third quarter by Canisius put the Griffins back within four, scoring twice to trim the gap to 9-5.
St. Bonaventure replied once again, scoring the two of the last three goals of the quarter behind shots from junior attacker Conor Murphy and Pepper that brought the lead to 11-6 heading into the final quarter.
SBU’s defense held the Golden Griffins in check through the fourth quarter, holding them scoreless for 13 minutes.
Kucinski tallied his fourth score of the game with 7:21 to go, widening the Bonnies lead to seven.
“My success really stems from an amazing defensive effort and a hell of a job at the face off dot by our unit,” said Kucinski. “We also (as an offense) stuck to our game plan and made the right plays.”
Canisius scored twice in the last two minutes to bring the final score to 12-8, Bonaventure.
Webster finished with two goals and an assist for the Golden Griffins. Junior attacker TJ Buono and junior midfield Patrick Mitchell both added a goal and two assists for CU.
Sophomore goalie Cristofero Cucciuffo saved ten shots for the Bonnies.
Freshman midfielder Grant Giunchi won a career-high 12 face-offs in the contest.
“I personally took the initiative to put my best foot forward and make sure my job was secured at the x to help take care of possessing the ball,” said Gunchi. “I feel like now that things are truly clicking in all departments, we can finally showcase our potential and win some games.”
Bonaventure head coach Randy Mearns says the team will capitalize on this momentum going forward.
“We have taken a hard path, but persevering and overcoming the challenges together really binds us together,” said Mearns. “We will take this energy and continue to work as we prepare for Marquette on March 23 where we will honor our four seniors – Cam Germain, Connor Steria, Tage Hoeg and Nick Porfilio.”
The Bonnies return to action on Saturday March 23 v. Marquette at the Tom 80′ and Michelle Marra Athletics Field Complex. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
maierkj22@bonaventure.edu
