Kean Moves Past Vassar In Opener, 12-6

UNION, N.J. (2/28/07) - Senior attack Steve Gill (Patchogue, N.Y.) led all players with four goals as the Kean University men's lacrosse team defeated Vassar College in its season opener, 12-6, Wednesday night at Kean Alumni Stadium.

Midfielder Vito Cataldo (West Islip, N.Y.) led Vassar (0-2) with two goals on the evening.

Kean picked up momentum quick in the contest, notching the first four goals of the evening in the first quarter. Vassar then answered recording the game's next three goals, spanning into the second quarter. Senior Mike Littlefield (Floral Park, N.Y.) got the Brewers on the board with an unassisted goal with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter.

The Cougars responded with five goals of their own in the second quarter. Sophomore Chris DeCarlo (Sandy, Utah) broke the game open with an unassisted goal with 12:09 remaining, followed by back-to-back goals by Gill, both assisted by junior Dennis Lukacsko (Lincoln Park, N.J.). Senior Mike Tanis (Oak Ridge, N.J.) closed out the first half scoring with a goal from freshman Scott Leathem (Fair Lawn, N.J.) with 3:52 to go. Kean led at the break, 9-4.

Overall, the Cougars outshot the Brewers 39-24, while also holding a 16-5 advantage in face-offs.

DeCarlo finished the evening with two goals, while also adding an assist. Lukacsko recorded one goal and three assists while Leathem had one goal and two assists in the win.

For Vassar, Littlefield finished with two goals while freshman Sean Murray (Wyckoff, N.J.) and junior Tristan Jemiolo (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) each had one goal in the loss.

Kean will continue its home schedule, taking on Mount Ida College on Saturday, March 3rd at 1:00 p.m.