After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the Binghamton University men’s lacrosse team used a patient, explosive offensive attack and effective defensive pressure to defeat Marist on Saturday afternoon by a score of 12-7 to win its first game of the 2009 season.
Junior attack Andy Cook scored two goals, handed out four assists and scooped up two ground balls in the contest. The six points were a career high, and the four assists matched his total from the entire 2008 season.
Cook’s assists came from all sorts of offensive opportunities. He received a pass on a breakaway and added one extra pass to sophomore attack Brian Donahue to ensure a goal in the first period, passed through traffic from behind the net to Donahue on another goal in the second period and forced a turnover in the offensive end to assist yet another goal by Donahue in the fourth period.
“We didn’t go for the home run early on offense,” Cook said. “We took care of the ball and we came through, from the midfield to the attack.”
BU head coach Ed Stephenson said the team looks to Cook to get things done.
“We can always count on [Cook] to be a ferocious competitor,” he said. “He’s extremely fast, and he’s a leader on the field who can really make things happen.”
Donahue and junior midfielder Steve Carlson each recorded hat tricks, and Donahue also had an assist in the game. It was Carlson’s second career hat trick and Donahue’s first.
“We played with a lot of heart, and it was great to get the win,” Donahue said.
Stephenson was pleased with the balanced team effort on the field, from attack to midfield to defense.
“The midfielders stepped up, ran fast and fought hard for ground balls,” Stephenson said. “Our transition game was good, and we need to continue to play this kind of lacrosse.”
After losing the ground battle in four consecutive losses, the Bearcats edged Marist 30-20 in that category. Binghamton out-shot Marist by a margin of 45-24 (including 29-7 in the second half), turned the ball over just 14 times while forcing 21 Marist turnovers, won the face-off battle 11-9 and were a perfect 2-2 on extra-man opportunities. The 12 goals scored was the highest total for the Bearcats since March 31, 2007, when they defeated Hartford, 16-4.
“You make things happen when you win the statistical battle,” Stephenson said. “You get more offensive possessions to work with when you pick up ground balls, clear the ball successfully and force turnovers.”
For Marist, junior attack Ryan Sharkey notched a hat trick, while senior goalie Ryan Penner made 17 saves. The Red Foxes are 0-2 this season after the loss to the Bearcats.
The Bearcats’ next game is next Wednesday in Medina, Ohio, against the Bellarmine Knights at 1 p.m.