WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – A solid defensive effort that held Alvernia University to just 20 shots and forced 25 turnovers, including 15 in the second half, helped the Lycoming College men's lacrosse team post a 7-4 MAC Commonwealth win on Wednesday, April 19 at the Shangraw Athletic Complex, helping it stay in position to earn a conference tournament slot for the first time since 2014.
 
Sophomore Eric Schutta (Frenchtown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional) led the defensive effort with five groundballs and three caused turnovers and sophomore Travis Rode (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) also picked up two groundballs and sophomore Collin Bitsko (Farmingdale, N.J./Freehold Township) added two caused turnovers.
 
Lycoming (5-7 overall, 3-3 MAC Commonwealth) answered shortly after Alvernia (3-10 overall, 0-5 MAC Commonwealth) moved within a goal at 5-4 in the third quarter, as senior Marcus Winn (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) found sophomore Richie Hurley (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) for a score from six yards out with 6:06 left.
 
The Warriors added another goal to put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, when a transition opportunity afforded itself, with sophomore Connor Riorden (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) dunking a shot in from just outside the crease off a give from senior Peter Pluta (Honeoye Falls, N.Y./Honeyoye Falls-Lima) with 1:16 left.
 
Lycoming scored the first two goals of the game before Alvernia rallied to tie it just 13 seconds into the second quarter. Lycoming controlled the rest of the period, though, scoring three straight goals, two from Hurley to take a 5-2 lead into halftime. The Crusaders cut that to a one-goal lead midway through the third quarter, with Jarret Abernethy scoring with 8:48 left.
 
Hurley led the Warrior offense with three goals while adding three groundballs. Senior Garrett Huff (Corning, N.Y./Corning East) added two goals and an assist and freshman Shain Quigley (Lincoln University, Pa./Oxford Area) added a goal and three groundballs.
 
Lycoming scooped up 31 groundballs and caused 11 turnovers in the contest. Sophomore Michael Tenant (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) (5-7) added five saves to earn the win.
 
Abernethy led the Crusaders with two goals and Christian Chambers finished 8-of-13 at the faceoff 'x' with four groundballs. Preston Greener added three groundballs and two caused turnovers. Kyle Augustine stopped seven shots in net.
 
The Warriors get back on the field on Saturday, April 22, when they head to Messiah College for a 1 p.m. MAC Commonwealth game.