SALISBURY, Md. - The top-ranked Salisbury
University men's lacrosse team notched an impressive 17-5
non-conference victory over Widener University on Saturday
afternoon at Sea Gull Stadium before 525. The Sea Gulls (4-0)
increase their nation's best winning streak to 49 straight and have
won 77 consecutive home games since 2003.
Salisbury was paced by senior midfielder Kylor
Berkman and freshman attackman Matt
Cannone who both posted seven-point games. Cannone led all
goal-scorers with six goals and one assist while Berkman scored
five goals and two assists. In fact, the pair scored all five goals
for SU in the third quarter as Cannone struck twice and Berkman
followed with three consecutive goals.
SU took a 1-0 advantage on a great goal from junior attackman
Mike Winter (three goals, one assist). Sea Gull
junior midfielder Mike Von Kamecke fired a shot
that Pride goalie Kevin Carney (19 saves) stopped but could not
handle. Winter scooped up the ball, just in front of the crease,
and placed a behind-the-back shot into the far corner of the
net less than two minutes into the game. Berkman, the reigning
National and Midfielder of the Year, rifled a shot past Carney
midway through the first quarter to give the maroon and gold an
early 2-0 lead.
Widener (0-2) scored two of the next three goals to cut the SU
lead to one, 3-2, with 2:43 left in the quarter. Winter closed out
the first quarter with his second goal off the first of three
assists by freshman Sam Bradman.
The second quarter was all Salisbury as it tallied all six goals
in the quarter and held the Pride scoreless. Cannone was
sensational int quaer as he scored four of his six goals in
the game as he parked himself on the left side of the
crease. Cannone received assists from Winter, Bradman, Berkman
and senior midfielder Patrick Bonanno (two
assists). Winter and sophomore midfielder Shawn
Zordani scored the other goals in the quarter as SU
took a 10-2 lead into halftime.
In the second half, SU continued to pour it on behind the combo
of Berkman and Cannone as the Sea Gulls outscored the Pride 5-1 in
the third quarter.
Widener's Johnny Casey scored two of his team-high three goals
in the fourth quarter. Casey scored the first goal for the Pride
back in the first quarter and netted the final goal of the game
with 27 seconds left. Salisbury scored twice in the fourth quarter
off the stick of freshman attackman Matt Pierotti,
who recorded his first collegiate goal with 8:51 left in the game.
He scored his second two minutes later off an assist from sophomore
Michael Yetter.
The Salisbury defense played exceptionally well today,
highlighted by the play of the man-down unit as it didn't allow a
goal in five opportunities. The Gulls caused 19 of the Pride's 31
turnovers led by sophomore defenseman Collin
Tokosch, who forced three takeaways. SU's riding defense
also hampered the Pride on clear attempts as Widener went
16-for-27. SU played all four goalies in sophomore
Johnny Rodriquez (three saves), sophomore
Tim Swinburn (one save), senior Mike
Petti (two saves), and junior Joe Evans.
All 47 Sea Gulls saw action in the game.
SU outshot Widener 55-23 and won 16-of-24 face-offs. Salisbury
junior midfielder Ryan Finch won 14-of-18
face-offs taken. The Sea Gulls made 21 clears out of 24 attempts,
scooped up 45 ground balls and scored nearly half of their man-up
opportunities (3-for-7).
Salisbury will next travel to Frederick, Md., on Wednesday,
March 4, to take on Capital Athletic Conference foe Hood College at
3:30 p.m.
