Feb. 24, 2008

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Despite scoring the game's first four goals, the Lafayette men's lacrosse team dropped a hard-fought 9-6 decision at Villanova on Sunday afternoon. Freshman Tom Perini led the Leopards with two goals, while junior John Galassi chipped in with a goal and an assist.

The Lafayette offense clicked early and often in the season-opener for both squads. Steve Serling tallied the first Leopard goal of the season when he notched an unassisted goal with 14:23 left in the first quarter. Just over two minutes later, freshman Franklin Floyd netted his first collegiate goal to give Lafayette an early 2-0 advantage.

The Leopards kept the Villanova defense on their heels, as Perini tallied his first goal off a Galassi assist at the 7:41 mark of the first period to give Lafayette a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.

Just a minute and 20 seconds into the second quarter, Chris Prud'homme found Perini for his second tally of the game.

Villanova got on the board less than a minute later and proceeded to score the game's next five goals, two with a man-advantage, to take a 5-4 lead into intermission.

Following a Wildcat goal with 6:57 left in the third quarter, Lafayette sophomore Matt Mersky grabbed his first of the season and pulled the Leopards back within one (6-5).

Villanova answered with three straight goals of its own, securing a 9-5 lead with 6:41 remaining in the contest.

A John Galassi goal with 5:47 remaining tried to spark a Leopard comeback, but Villanova held on for the 9-6 season-opening victory.

Mersky and Serling led the Leopards with five shots apiece, including three shots on goal each. Junior goalkeeper Jeff Canfield grabbed a double-digit save afternoon, turning away 10 Wildcat shots.

Lafayette was 10-for-19 on face-offs, led by freshman Cesar Munoz's 9-for-14 effort on draws.

The Leopards return to action on Wednesday when they host Wagner in the home-opener at Rappolt Field. Face-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.