April 17, 2004

Box Score

Lexington, VA - The Marist College men's lacrosse team remained undefeated in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Lacrosse League play, rallying from an early 5-1 deficit, to defeat host Virginia Military Institute, 8-6, this afternoon on Patchin Field. The win keeps the Red Foxes undefeated atop the MAAC Lacrosse League, at 5-0, and improves their overall record to 7-4. VMI falls to 0-9 on the year and 0-6 in league play,

The Red Foxes struck first, but found themselves trailing the Keydets 5-1 with 10:02 to play in the second quarter. Rookie Keith Detelj took things into his own hands at that point, scoring three consecutive goals, including one with just :26 seconds to play in the half, to make the halftime score 5-4. Billy Duerr would tie the score at 5-5 midway through the third quarter, before VMI struck again :33 seconds later, to take their final lead of the game 6-5.

The Red Foxes held the Keydets scoreless in the final stanza, as Detelj reasserted himself. He tied the game with 9:57 to play in the contest, setting up the game-winning-goal from Josh Ben-Eliyahu 33 seconds later, from a Sean Sweeney assist. Detelj added an insurance goal with 4:50 to play, to complete the Red Foxes rally.

Detelj led all scorers with his five goals, and was joined by Duerr, Dan Kushner and Ben-Eliyahu as goal scorers for the Red Foxes. Duerr added an assist in the game, as did Sweeney and Brian Diele.

Steve Gravino was spectacular in the second half, making 10 of his 12 saves in the final half of play. He made six saves in the third quarter alone to keep the Red Foxes in the contest. Kelley DeNeen made six saves in net for VMI, six in the first half, in his first collegiate start.

The win gives the Red Foxes their fourth consecutive win.

Marist returns to action on Tuesday, when it travels to Providence, RI to take on Providence in a MAAC Lacrosse League game, scheduled for 3:00 pm. The Friars defeated Wagner 10-3 on Saturday, to improve to 4-1 in MAAC action.