GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The four-time defending Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champs from Grove City College proved to be too much to handle, as the Allegheny College men's lacrosse team drew the short end of a 22-6 decision on Saturday afternoon.
Grove City (11-4, 6-0 PAC) halted the Gators' (8-6, 6-1 PAC) program-record five-game win streak, as Allegheny suffered its only conference loss of the year. Despite the setback, the Blue and Gold have already clinched a home semifinal game in the upcoming PAC Championship Tournament.
The upset-minded Gators started strong in the first quarter and took advantage of the first of numerous extra-man opportunities.
JP Rakis (Kensington, Md./Walter Johnson) netted the first goal of the contest on a quick-stick shot following a one-minute slashing penalty. Approximately two-and-a-half minutes later,
Aidan D'Amato (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) doubled the Allegheny lead to 2-0.
Allegheny needed more than the quick start to deter the Wolverines, however. Grove City led 11-4 at halftime and limited the Gators to a pair of man-up goals in the second half.
Inside the Box Score
- Allegheny finished with 35 total shots, including 13 on goal.
- Grove City attempted 47 shots and placed 31 on target.
- The Gators received 10 man-up chances and scored four times.
- The Wolverines won more faceoffs (21-to-10) and picked up more ground balls (37-to-29).
- D'Amato and Rakis led the Gators with three points on two goals and one assist.
- Junior attackman Jack Cushwa (Martinsburg, W.Va./Martinsburg) also scored twice.
- D'Amato, Cassady Bouthet (Vernon, Conn./Rockville), and Anthony DeMarco (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls) each gathered five ground balls.
- Bouthet led all defensemen in the game with three caused turnovers.
- Garin Stearns (Hudson, Ohio/Revere) and Isaac Michalek (Buffalo, N.Y./East Aurora) split time in goal and combined for nine saves.
- James Petrolle paced Grove City's offense with six points (3g-3a).
News and Notes
- Allegheny remains two games above .500 with an 8-6 overall record.
- Saturday's loss snapped a six-game PAC win streak, but the Gators cannot fall below second in the regular-season standings.
- Rakis has logged at least one point in all 14 games this spring.
- Bouthet, the only player in team history with more than 200 ground balls and 100 caused turnovers in his career, broke his own record for the most caused turnovers in a season with 39.
- With 96 ground balls, DeMarco is just four away from becoming the first Gator to reach 100 in a season.
Up Next
Allegheny ends the 2024 regular season at home on Saturday, April 27, when the Gators host Franciscan University. The Senior Day matchup will begin at 1:00 p.m.
