Not only did the men’s lacrosse team continue their unbeaten streak this week, they also swept the league’s weekly awards as well. Using their home field advantage on the artificial turf of Harkness Field, RPI first routed Cazenovia 19-0 before trouncing Vassar 16-3. The Liberty League rewarded the team for starting off 5-0, naming junior P.J. McComb and senior Luke Murphy as Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively. Freshman Brett Evans also earned the honor of Rookie Performer of the Week.
McComb led the team with 11 points from three goals and eight assists during the week’s play. Second on the team, he has 23 points from five goals, 18 assists, and 20 ground balls on the season. Murphy was the starting point for a defense that held the two opponents to only three goals. Evans had a goal, three assists, and six ground balls. The midfielder already has a goal and four assists on the season and has caused two turnovers.
Last Wednesday the Cazenovia Wildcats were overpowered by a full team’s effort; as the Red Hawks used a total of 13 different players in the non-league game and the visitors fell to an 0-3 start on the season. The first half ended with RPI up 11-0, junior Alex MacDiamid leading with four goals. RPI scored three in the third period before they finished the Wildcats off with a final string of five more in the last quarter. Junior Tom O’Dwyer also had three goals and freshman Joe Brust contributed two.
Although four goaltenders took net for RPI during the rout, junior John Thibdeau started and earned the win.
The following Saturday, Harkness Field and the Red Hawks played host to Liberty League foe Vassar College. Although RPI found themselves again ahead 11-0 at the half, they could not complete the shut-out as Vassar found the net early in the third period. RPI finished their scoring in the third when they made five more goals to bring the score to 16-1. The Brewers had the last say when they scored twice more in the final stanza—including a buzzer beater by Tristan Jemiolo—it was not enough, however, as they fell 16-3 and saw their record slide to 0-7 overall.
Four goaltenders split the action up, with Thibdeau earning the win to match the team with a 5-0 record. Vassar’s freshman Ed Pappo stopped 17 shots in the loss.
The Red Hawks continue non-league play on campus with a Wednesday game at 4 pm against Lasell, and on Saturday against Oneonta State at 1 pm.
