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#25 Pitt Collects Wins Over WMU and Toledo, Sets Records

Box Score

Mar. 19, 2012

Toledo, OH – The University of Pittsburgh Men’s Lacrosse team remains undefeated after subduing CCLA opponents Western Michigan and Toledo, 18-4 and 18-8, respectively. The two decisive victories were part of a triple-header at the Glass Bowl stadium on Sunday, March 19.

These wins bring the Panthers to 6-0-1 on the season, while Toledo slips to 1-5 and WMU falls to 1-2. Pitt started the day off against Western Michigan University at 2:00 pm. Bright sunshine, rising temperatures, and very high humidity welcomed the Panthers to Toledo, who wasted no time in reaching a 5-1 lead after the first quarter. Both teams scored only one goal in the second quarter, bringing the score to 6-2 at the half.

The Panthers responded to a second quarter lull by dropping six goals in both the third and fourth. Sophomore attack Alex Powell shattered a Pitt Lacrosse record and the WMU defense by notching nine total points in the game (5G, 4A). Tyler Novotny also improved his commanding position on Pitt’s all-time leaderboard for goals in a single contest. He finished with seven goals and an assist, breaking his own previous record of six scores in one game.

All Panthers saw action against Western Michigan. Of the twelve players that scored points against WMU, goals came from Tyler Novotny (7), Alex Powell (5), Joe Grmusa (3), Thomas Pham (1), Paul Razgaitis (1), and Conor “Spike” Nugent (1).

After a quick, rainy intermission and eighteen seconds of game play, the Panthers were in the lead against their second opponent of the day. Powell stuck the first two balls on cage with the help of Tyler Novotny and Nick Ruff, and then dished an assist to Joe Grmusa. With ten minutes left in the first quarter Bryan Peck scored a goal to bring the Panthers up 4-0. Toledo dropped two goals past the Pitt defense to end the quarter 4-2.

Toledo started the second quarter with another goal, but that would be their last of the half. Pitt responded with a 6-0 run before halftime with goals from Nugent, Novotny, Wolfe, Faber, and Bryan Peck. The score was 10-3 at halftime.

Pitt continued to pull away in the second half. Nick Ruff scored the first goal within six seconds of the whistle. Matt Wolfe, Alex Powell, Conor Nugent, Tyler Novotny, Colin Peck, and Pat Kelly all added goals in the last two quarters.

 “Conference games are always the most important for our program,” commented keeper Chris Gorham, “A big win like this allows us to cycle deep into our lineup to give younger players quality game experience, which will only help us down the road.”

These two victories bring Pitt’s conference record to 4-0. The Panthers will look to defend their conference and overall record at home on Friday and Saturday at against #11 SUNY-Buffalo and #12 Michigan State University.