Simply put, the Rensselaer men’s lacrosse team is on fire.
The Red Hawks—who have continued to build momentum as they enter the heart of their UCAA schedule—remained ablaze this weekend. RPI increased their current winning streak to six games with a 16-4 slaughtering of Hartwick in a non-conference battle at Harkness Field on Wednesday and then slaying UCAA rival Clarkson 13-7 on Saturday at home.
The RPI offense has been smoking over the team’s last six games, putting in 65 goals over the same stretch.
This fact proved true in both of RPI’s wins this weekend as Rensselaer put together a 12-1 run that extended from the second and into the third quarter to break open a tight battle with Hartwick while a 7-2 fourth quarter flurry allowed the Red Hawks to seal the deal against the Golden Knights.
“It is only a matter of time before we connect on offense,” Rensselaer Head Coach Tom Korrie said. “This was a total team effort this weekend.”
Team point’s leader Adam LoGuidice continued to scorch the nets adding to his to his total with six goals and two assists.
Teammates Luc Ruglis, Ryan Frisch, Chris Sherman, and Nick Culotti also had big weekends. Ruglis tallied four goals and four assists in two games, Frisch and Sherman each notched four goals and two assists, and Culotti put home two goals and handed out three assists.
Substitutes Jeff Hobbs, Ryan Balzer, and Sean Creeley combined to tally six points and provide a much needed boost off the RPI bench.
“Depth will be key late in the season,” Korrie said. “Jeff has answered the bell every time when asked and Ryan doesn’t get many scoring opportunities but he is making the best of the one’s he is getting.”
However, before the Red Hawks’ offensive explosions both games were close for a time.
Hartwick, a very physical opponent, trailed 3-2 after the first quarter.
However, with the start of the second session RPI’s face-off squad, or the “x-men” as they are called by their teammates, of James Gallucci and Jon Ellement along with the Rensselaer defense were phenomenal as Hartwick was unable to gain possession of the ball for much of the second or third quarters.
“The x-men have been great for us,” Korrie said. “Every time they gain possession for us it is two goal swing, one goal for us and one taken away from our opponents.”
The “x-men” won 28 of 46 face-offs on the weekend, many of which directly resulted in goals for RPI.
“Assistant Coach Pat DelMonaco had worked hard with the face-off unit,” Korrie said. “They are working hard and are beginning to see the fruits of their labor. With the combination of technique, communication, and hustle they have become a pivotal part of our game.”
The offense and special teams were again excellent this weekend for Rensselaer, but if not for an outstanding defensive effort by goaltender Ryan Michels and the rest of the Red Hawks defenders, RPI may not have been in the game late against Clarkson.
In what was a much closer game than the final score indicated, the RPI defense put the clamps on a potent Golden Knight offense to keep the Red Hawks in control of the game.
The Red Hawks’ largest lead was only two until their magnificent fourth quarter rally, but thanks in part to the efforts of defensemen Corey Ingram, Joe Mazzeo, and the hard hitting of Joe Panniello RPI prevented Clarkson from ever grabbing the lead.
“I give the guys credit,” Korrie said. “They are putting in a lot time into scouting and have done a great job taking away our opponents strengths.”
Michels, who was named UCAA Rookie of the Week, was solid in both games with 27 saves, some of which were spectacular, and successfully directing the Rensselaer clears.
Despite the team’s current run, Korrie still beleives his team must to improve if they are to win the UCAA crown.
“We have to stay hungry,” Korrie said. “We are better now than we were earlier in the season, but we still have room to progress. We have to stay healthy and hunger and prepare mentally for some very tough opponents we have ahead of us.”
The Red Hawks, who now stand at 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the UCAA, will have a long road trip to Canton, N.Y. on Saturday for their afternoon match up with the only other undefeated team left in the conference play, St. Lawrence.
