Men's Lacrosse Plays Robert Morris In First-Ever NEC Home Game Saturday
4/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
Quinnipiac
University Bobcats (3-4, 1-0 NEC) vs.
Robert Morris
University Colonials (5-4, 0-1 NEC)
Saturday,
April 9, 2011 - 1 p.m.
Quinnipiac Field Hockey & Lacrosse
Turf Field - Hamden, Conn.
Bobcats Play Host To Robert Morris Saturday
The Quinnipiac University men's lacrosse team plays its
first-ever home Northeast Conference league game when it welcomes
Robert Morris, Saturday at 1 p.m. The Bobcats are coming off a
thrilling, 13-12 victory at Bryant on April 1, while the Colonials
were on the other side of a one-goal decision, falling at Mount St.
Mary's, 12-11, last Saturday. The Bobcats and Colonials will meet
for the first time in the programs' histories.
Scouting the Robert Morris University Colonials
The Colonials are led by Trevor Moore, whose 24 goals and
30 points are both team highs. Patrick Smith has also contributed
17 goals and 24 points, while Kyle Buchanan, Kevin Brownell and
Kiel Matisz are each tied for the team lead with nine assists
apiece. Mike Grosz has won 52.7 percent (87-165) of his face-off
opportunities, which has led to a team-high 39 ground balls. Mike
Meagher and Ben Lewis are tied for the team lead in caused
turnovers (14). Charles Ruppert has seen the majority of time in
net for RMU, compiling a 9.86 goals-against average and a .534 save
percentage.
Wilbur's Game-Winner
Seeing just his second game action of the year, sophomore
Brendan Wilbur scored twice, including the game-winning goal as
time expired, Apr. 1 at Bryant. Wilbur had scored just once before
in his career, Mar. 4, 2010, against Wagner.
Causing Havoc
A year after finishing fifth in the nation in caused
turnovers per game (10.21), the Bobcats currently rank sixth among
NCAA D-I teams at 10.29. Long-stick midfielder Bobby Schnibbe has
led the way with 1.86 CT/gm. (19th-NCAA).
Benz, But Don't Break
Senior goalie Kevin Benzing has been particularly stingy
this season, averaging 10.43 saves per game (26th-NCAA) while
maintaining a .553 save percentage (21st-NCAA) and an 8.37
goals-against average (24th-NCAA).
Stepping Up On The Man-Down
QU is ninth in the nation in man-down defense (.784). The
Bobcats have held opponents to just four man-up goals in the last
28 opportunities, covering 22:30.
Oppenheimer Climbs Quinnipiac Career Goals List
Jack Oppenheimer's 63 career goals rank 11th in
Quinnipiac history.
Hagg of a Streak
Christian Haggerty has recorded at least one point in
each of his 21 games in the blue and gold. The 21 games rank 23rd
among active point streaks in the nation.
Do
We Call Him A Rookie of the Year Candidate At This Point?
Dylan Webster was named the Northeast Conference Rookie
of the Week for the fourth time in the last five weeks after
scoring an improbable goal against Bryant. After getting the ball
checked out of his stick, Webster recollected and shot it past two
defenders and the Bryant goalie to give QU a late 12-10
advantage.
Benzing Grabs Second In Saves
With 19 saves against Holy Cross March 5, Kevin Benzing
passed Mike Sturmer '99 (428) for second all-time at QU. He now
stands at 462, 166 behind the all-time leader at Quinnipiac, T.J.
Barnett '04 (628).
Career-High For Coppolecchia
Chris Coppolecchia scooped up a career-high seven ground
balls, March 26 at UMBC.
Webster Wins Again...And Again
Dylan Webster was named the Northeast Conference Rookie
of the Week for the third straight week, March 21. The freshman
midfielder had a goal and an assist against Hartford, March 19, a
week after tallying two goals in the Bobcats' 9-3 win at
Providence, March 12. He began the stretch with three goals and an
assist against Holy Cross, March 5.
Benzing Takes Second NEC Defensive Player of the Week
Kevin Benzing was named the NEC Defensive Player of the
Week for the second time in three weeks on March 21. The senior
goalie made 12 saves on 22 chances in the Bobcats' 10-9 overtime
loss to Hartford.
Hat
Trick Twosome
Kevin Kelly and Christian Haggerty each compiled hat
tricks against Hartford. Kelly now has five hat tricks for his
four-year career, while Haggerty has four in his two years at
QU.
Second Half Lockdown
QU outscored Providence, 6-0, in the second half on March
12. After the teams were deadlocked at 3-3 following the first
half, Quinnipiac scored goals on six of seven shots on goal, while
Bobcats goalie Kevin Benzing stopped all five shots on goal he saw
in the second half.
Good Things Come In Three's
Kevin Kelly tallied a career-high six points on three
goals and three assists, March 12, at Providence.
NEC
Recognizes Benzing, Webster
The Northeast Conference recognized Kevin Benzing and
Dylan Webster as its defensive player and rookie of the week,
respectively, on March 7. Benzing made 31 saves in two games,
including 19 in the Bobcats' 10-5 victory against Holy Cross.
Webster scored three goals and added an assist against Holy
Cross.
New
To The NEC
With Bryant becoming eligible for postseason play in
2011, the Northeast Conference now has six men's lacrosse-playing
institutions and has officially become a men's lacrosse league. QU
joins Bryant, Mount St. Mary's, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and
Wagner.
Crazy Eight
Quinnipiac finished 2010 eighth in the nation in ground
balls per game (35.57).
20/20
Christian Haggerty became just the fourth player in
Quinnipiac history to compile a 20-goal, 20-assist season with 20
goals and 25 assists last year. Haggerty joined Joe Baglio (49 G,
29 A in 2001) as the only other Quinnipiac player with a 20-20
season at Division I, while Brian Perry (33 G, 25 A in 1998) and
P.J. Gillard (24 G, 21 A in 1995) achieved the feat at the Division
II level.
Glad To Have You
Christian Haggerty led the Bobcats in points (45), with
20 goals and 25 assists in 2010. His assist total tied for second
on the QU single-season list, tied with Brian Perry in 1998.
Haggerty was the first Bobcat to reach as many as 17 assists in a
season since both Joe Baglio (29) and Jeff Speed (24) did so in
2001.
Oppenheimer Goals: The Right Way To Score
With 32 goals last season, Jack Oppenheimer led the
Bobcats and moved into 10th all-time on the Quinnipiac
single-season chart. Oppenheimer's 71 career goals rank 13th
all-time at Quinnipiac.
15
Seniors Depart
The Bobcats must find a way to replace 15 graduated
seniors from a year ago, many coming in the midfield. The top
scorer to depart is Alex Marotto, who contributed 15 goals, while
Todd Kaiser also chipped in with 12 goals. Garett Kerr also had 10
goals. Face-off specialist Ben Mullaney will certainly be missed,
while Alex DeAlmeida's 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) will also
have to be replaced.
Up
Next
The Bobcats play their final non-conference game of the
regular season Tuesday, when they play host to Harvard. Opening
face-off from the Quinnipiac Field Hockey & Lacrosse Turf Field
is scheduled for 4 p.m.
