By Matt Kinnear, Insidelacrosse.com
The fourth annual Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation
Golf Outing will be held July 20 at Commonwealth
National Golf Club. To learn more or to register,
click here: https://birdeasepro.com/etcfoundation
Marist is riding its hot streak right into the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Foxes stormed out against Bryant, topping the Bulldogs 10-6 in the NCAA play-in game Wednesday at Tenney Stadium.
Early Lead Sets the Tone for Victory
Marist advances to the NCAA Tournament first round and will play Syracuse 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Carrier Dome. The pace was all Marist to start. The Red Foxes got the best of Bryant’s Kevin Massa to begin the game, with Dom Montemurro winning 5-of-8 face-offs in the first quarter and forcing the Bulldogs into a track meet early.
Coach Keegan Wilkinson’s Strategic Approach
“It was so important to get out early on a team like them,” coach Keegan Wilkinson said Thursday morning. “They’re such a bear to prepare for. I did not sleep well the night before.”
Consistency and Routine Lead to Success
Marist got out to a 9-1 lead against Quinnipiac in the MAAC championship and has had a habit of starting games strong. That’s why Wilkinson and his squad stuck to the same routine ahead of the game.
“We’re sticking to what we do,” Wilkinson said. “Nothing changed from our normal midweek night game schedule. We stuck to our business as usual. … It’s a testament to (assistants) Mike Gongas and Ethan Fox on a short turnaround got guys ready to play.”
Key Players Step Up
Senior LSM Patrick Eaker scored off the opening draw 15 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a Marist team that was still fired up from its first MAAC championship since 2005. It was certainly a key: Getting an early lead to put the more experienced playoff squad on its heels, especially against an offense ranked No. 57 in the country and not known for its quick-strike ability.
Balanced Offense and Defensive Strength
Five different goal-scorers led the Red Foxes in the first quarter. Freshman attackman Gannon Morrison led with two goals and two assists. J.D. Record (2, 1), Joseph Radin (2, 1), Mike Begley (1, 1), Colin Joka (1G), and Dillon Walker (1G) all scored in a balanced effort.
The freshman Morrison tore up the stat sheet, but he’s been making plays all year.
“He’s the unknown hero of that offense. Everybody talks about those other five guys, but Gannon is a really big part of that,” Wilkinson said. “He’s involved in a lot of the offensive plays. He’s getting hockey assists. He really makes that EMO tick.”
But while Marist’s MAAC win vs. Quinnipiac was all about offense — surprising to coach Keegan Wilkinson, who sports the No. 9 defense in the land — both the O and defense needed to shine for Wednesday’s win.
Defense Carries the Day
The defense carried the team for parts of the season, and it had to clamp down in the second half. But goalie Dave Scarcello made 14 saves, and the defense had an excellent performance — shortstick Jimmy Murphy a notable performance — limiting the Bulldogs to possession time but few scoring chances. Freshman Brett Osman, who’s routinely had the task of drawing the No. 1 attackman, was strong.
Bryant made its push, as Massa began to dominate draws, Gunnar Waldt played stout as usual (16 saves), and the field was tilted in the Bulldogs’ favor. Bryant ended the game with a 13-of-20 face-off advantage.
Looking Ahead to the Carrier Dome
Next up is a trip to the Carrier Dome to face Syracuse on ESPNU. Against Quinnipiac, Wilkinson said he was excited to show off midfielder Mike Begley on the national stage. He’s also excited to show off the progress that Marist has made and the most important cause to the team.
Final Thoughts
Marist’s journey through the NCAA Tournament showcases the team’s strength, discipline, and determination. With a strong start and consistent performance, the Red Foxes continue to draw inspiration from Eddie Coombs and look forward to proving themselves further on the national stage.
\”We’re also excited to share the opportunity to share the legacy of Eddie Coombs on the national stage…to share how important Eddie and his family are to this program. We’re excited to see that No. 34 on national TV.\”
