Men's Lacrosse Wins Home Opener, 13-8

UNION, N.J. (3/1/08) - Sophomore attack Scott Leathem (Fair Lawn, N.J.) recorded five points and senior goalkeeper Dave Nichols (Florham Park, N.J.) made 10 saves to lead the Kean University men's lacrosse team to a 13-8 victory over visiting DeSales University in the home opener on Saturday afternoon at Kean Alumni Stadium.

Leathem (pictured right) netted three goals and added two assists for the Cougars (1-2), while junior attack Matthew Brancaccio (Greenvale, N.Y.) had three goals and an assist for DeSales (0-2).

The Cougars built a 4-0 lead after the first period, as four different players recorded goals and Nichols recorded three saves to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard. 

Kean extended the lead to 6-0 in the second stanza, as Leathem netted his second goal of the game to open the scoring in the period.  DeSales scored its first goal when senior attack Jay Young (Pittstown, N.J.) scored unassisted with 5:24 to go to pull within 6-1 at halftime.

In the third period, Leathem added his third goal and senior attack Dennis Lukacsko (Lincoln Park, N.J.) netted a pair of goals to push the Cougar lead to 10-2 after 45 minutes of play.

After Kean scored the first two goals of the last period, the Bulldogs netted five of the final six goals, including three in the final minute of action, to pull within 13-8 to end the game.

Nichols (pictured left) made double-digit saves for the second straight game, allowing just three goals in 50 minutes of action. 

Lukacsko finished with his two third-quarter goals, while sophomore Jazimar Bailey (Hoboken, N.J.) and junior attack Eric Gillar (Milltown, N.J.) added a goal and an assist each.

For DeSales, sophomore goalkeeper Jarryd Stamatelos (Cherry Hill, N.J.) made nine saves.

Kean returns to action on Wednesday, March 5, when they face Vassar College on the road at 6 p.m.