03/07/2009
Lacrosse Falls to Cazenovia in Season Opener

BABSON PARK, MASS. 03/07/09 - The Clark University men's lacrosse team opened up its 2009 campaign with a tough 8-6 loss to Cazenovia College at a game played at Babson Colleges MacDowell Field on Saturday afternoon. The game was moved to Babson due to unplayable field conditions at Clark's Granger Field.

Freshman Chris Johnson (Amherst, Mass.) and senior Shawn Roche (Centerport, N.Y.) had two goals apiece to lead the Cougars, who led 3-1 heading into halftime. But Cazenovia outscored Clark, 7-3, over the final two periods to take control of the game.

After Ben Stuart (Cumberland, Me.) fired in a pass from Kyle Klapp (Schenectady, N.Y.) to lead 5-2 with 7:05 left to play in the third quarter, Cazenovia (1-0) ignited for five unanswered goals to take a 7-5 advantage with 4:19 remaining in the contest. Freshman TJ Shaw (Tully, N.Y.) scored three straight goals in the uprising, including a pair that was 15 seconds apart.

Clark got one back (6-7) when Johnson found the back of the net off a dish from freshman Phil Winslow (North Providence, R.I.) at 3:07, but the Wildcats were able to keep the hosts off the board for the remainder and scored once more to secure the victory.

Shaw paced the Wildcats with three goals and an assist. Sophomore Kyle Boland (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and freshman Jevon Pakkala (Newfield, N.Y.) tallied two goals each in the win.

Senior Tyler Campbell finished with 10 saves for Clark. Freshman Travis Carruthers (Cortland, N.Y.) had three saves before giving way to teammate Alex Iannicello (Camillus, N.Y.), who also finished with three saves for Cazenovia.

Clark is off until next Tuesday (3 p.m.) when it travels to Connecticut College. Cazenovia will play at Misericordia University on Wednesday (7 p.m.).