FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (4/10/13) – Sean Bobal and Richard Cheifitz each netted hat tricks as the Kean University men's lacrosse team staked its claim to first place in the Skyline Conference with a 12-6 win over Farmingdale State College. Both the Cougars and Rams came into the game with unblemished Skyline records.

Kean has now won 12 games in a row after a 6-5 opening-day loss in a Michigan snowstorm.

After a tense first quarter with only one goal scored, the Cougars figured out the Farmingdale defense and rang up five unanswered goals in the second period. Cheifitz (pictured left) earned a natural hat trick and John Marcelli, Mike Sheehan and Bobal also scored in the half.

Goalkeeper Dino Vitale made six saves in the first half to keep the Rams scoreless through the first 30 minutes.

Though it was difficult to imagine at the time, Mike Criscitello put in the game-winning goal eight seconds into the third quarter as Kean continued to dominate the game. The Cougars led 11-2 at one point and cruised to victory from there.

Ryan Buerkle had a pair of assists for the Cougars and Vitale earned his fifth win of the season in net.

Kean will host Mt. St. Mary College in another Skyline test at 1 p.m. on Saturday.