DETROIT (4/8/2017) -- Sophomore
Matthew Vangalen scored three goals, but Canisius was able to go on a second-half run as the University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse team fell, 11-5, at Titan Field on Saturday.
The loss drops Detroit Mercy to 5-7 overall and 3-1 in the MAAC, while Jesuit-rival Canisius moved to 5-5, 3-0 in conference play.
The Titans still control their own playoff destiny with a win against Monmouth or at Marist in the next two weeks.
Senior
Kyle Beauregard and junior
Alec Gilhooly added goals for the Titans. Senior
Jason Weber made seven saves and junior
Charlie Hayes posted three caused turnovers and pair of ground balls.
The Titans got out to a fast start as the defense provided a fast break opportunity. Junior
Pat Masterson had a caused turnover with freshman
Alex Akins picking it up and in transition, he found Vangalen who beat the keeper a little more than a minute into the game.
After a Canisius score, Detroit Mercy took a 2-1 lead as Beauregard found the back of the net. The Titans extended their lead to 4-1 in the second as freshman
Donavon Dempsey found Vangalen on the man-up and he put another one in at the 13:14 mark. A few minutes later, Gilhooly posted a marker for the 4-1 advantage with 10:54 remaining in the second.
The Golden Griffins fought back with two-straight goals to get within one, but Vangalen was able to beat the defense and drill one to the nylon for a 5-3 lead with 1:51 left in the half.
Canisius added a goal with under a minute to go in the second and then tied it up early in the third with a man-up goal.
The game was knotted at 5-5 for nearly 15 minutes of play before the Golden Griffins took a 6-5 lead with 12:58 left in the game. The Titans tried to get back in that offensive rhythm they had in the first half, but Canisius was able to keep them off the scoreboard.
The statistical game was nearly identical for both teams as the Titans held a 27-26 edge in shots, but Canisius won the ground ball battle, 26-24. Both teams were 10-of-20 in faceoffs and 1-of-2 on the extra-man attack. Canisius was 18-of-19 on clears, while Detroit Mercy was 13-of-15.
Masterson and redshirt freshman
Lucas Leyba ended the game with two caused turnovers and a ground ball. Weber and Dempsey also scooped up a pair of GB's.
The Titans will be back at home next week as the red, white and blue host Monmouth on Saturday, April 15. Game time is set for 2 p.m., and it will be Senior Day as Detroit Mercy honors their senior class prior to the start of the contest.
Game Notes:
Detroit Mercy leads the series, 5-3, including 3-1 at Titan Field… Detroit Mercy and Canisius are two of just eight Jesuit schools playing Division I lacrosse… Vangalen now has 40 points on the season on 23 goals and 17 assists, just nine points shy of tying the school record for points in a season… The two caused turnovers was a career high for Leyba…
