A Quick Look
The SUNY Oneonta men's lacrosse team came up short today to Ithaca 7-4 in its 2022 season opener.  The Red Dragons were held to just one goal in the second half, as the Bombers overcame a 3-2 halftime deficit.
 
"Today was a tough game," said Head Coach Pete Owens.  "I felt great about our effort, but we lacked execution, particularly on the offensive end.  I expect our team to grow from this.  It's early in the season and we've got a long way to go, but I like this team."
 
The Inside Story
Ithaca got on the scoreboard first in the opening minute on a goal by John Sramac off an assist from Jae Stuhlman.  The Red Dragons tied the game at the 6:41 mark of the quarter when junior Connor Gallagher (Montrose/Hendrick Hudson) notched an unassisted goal for his first of the season.
 
Consecutive goals by junior Kieran Rowley (Long Beach/Long Beach) gave Oneonta a 3-1 lead.  Rowley's first goal was assisted by senior Dean Cannon (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa).  Jake Erickson tallied a man-up goal for Ithaca at 4:57 to cut the Red Dragons' lead to one goal.  The two teams would go into halftime with Oneonta holding a 3-2 advantage.
 
A pair of goals within 29 seconds of each other in the third quarter gave the Bombers their first lead of the game.  Erickson scored once again followed by a man-up goal by Sramac.
 
A goal by Blake Eischen in the opening minute of the fourth quarter put Ithaca up 5-3.  Guest then scored a man-up goal for Oneonta a little more than one minute later to pull the Red Dragons to within a goal.  Stuhlman and Sramac capped the scoring for the Bombers to give them the three-goal victory.
 
Just the Stats
Ithaca outshot Oneonta 38-27 and collected 28 ground balls to Oneonta's 21.  The Bombers were good on 19-of-20 clears while Oneonta was successful on 20-of-23.  Ithaca won the faceoff battle 9-6.
 
Starting in his first game for Oneonta, junior goalie Luke Mignoli (Long Beach/Long Beach) made 18 saves while Connor Thornton made 13 stops for the Bombers.
 
What's Next
Oneonta is scheduled to play its next game this Saturday at SUNY Maritime beginning at 3pm.
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