ALBANY, N.Y. – The Hartwick Men's Lacrosse team got back on track, defeating the Russell Sage Gators in a conference battle on Wednesday afternoon as Head Coach Connor Bishop secured his first head-coaching triumph.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 18 Russell Sage 5
Location: Albany, N.Y. | ACPHS Complex
Records: Hartwick (1-9, 1-3 Empire 8) • Russell Sage (2-5, 0-4 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks traveled to Albany for their second straight road contest, with both teams searching for their first conference victory. Hartwick came soaring out of the gates, as senior captain Liam McManus (Skillman, N.J.) opened the scoring at 13:54. Fellow senior captain Colin August (Garrison, N.Y.) followed just over a minute later off a feed from Steve Grossman (Magnolia, Del.), and Spencer Hogaboom (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) added another moments later from Colby Simonetti (Pittsford, N.Y.) to quickly build momentum.
A Russell Sage penalty created a man-up opportunity that Troy Madden (Williston Park, N.Y.) capitalized on, finishing a pass from McManus to make it 4-0. August then struck twice more, assisted by Mason Adams (Delmar, N.Y.) and McManus, completing a first-quarter hat trick. Ryan Nevins (Warwick, N.Y.) capped the dominant opening frame with Hartwick's seventh goal, with Grossman collecting his second assist of the quarter.
Hartwick continued to press in the second, as Simonetti opened the scoring off a Madden assist. Russell Sage snapped the run at 10:48, but August answered to spark another surge. Hogaboom and McManus converted on man-up chances, with McManus assisting Hogaboom, and Ty Crowley (Wallkill, N.Y.) added a goal 20 seconds later off a pass from defensive midfielder Harry Rubin (Portland, Me.). The Gators scored once more late in the half, but McManus completed his hat trick with a man-up tally from Simonetti to send Hartwick into the break with a commanding 13-2 lead.
August opened the third quarter with his fourth goal of the afternoon, assisted by Rubin. Madden added his second of the day, while Russell Sage managed its lone goal of the quarter. Nevins answered with his second tally, giving the Hawks a comfortable advantage heading into the final period.
Russell Sage struck first in the fourth during a man-up opportunity, but Grossman responded with his second goal of the day off a feed from Matt Lallos (Chelmsford, MA), who recorded his first collegiate point. Jake Joly (Saunderstown, R.I.) closed out the scoring, finishing a pass from Daniel Trousdale (Baldwinsville, NY), who also notched his first collegiate point.
"Very proud of this group and staff," said Head Coach Connor Bishop. "We've built all season toward putting together a full 60-minute game, and this is the closest we've gotten. We're one step closer to our ultimate goal."
August led the offense with five goals, while McManus added three. Hogaboom, Nevins, and Madden each scored twice, and Grossman, Crowley, Joly, and Simonetti rounded out the scoring. McManus paced the playmaking efforts with three assists, while Simonetti and Grossman recorded two apiece. Madden, Adams, Lallos, and Trousdale each added helpers.
Defensively, Cael Lawson (Ontario, N.Y.) was a terror for the Sage offense, posting a career-high four caused turnovers and six ground balls.
Kaiden Johnson (Wakefield, Mass.) earned the win in goal with one save in a half of action. RJ Siwiec (Cinnaminson, NJ) made two saves in 15 minutes, and AJ Saragossi (Levittown, NY) stopped five shots over the final quarter.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
Hartwick returns home for Senior Day on Saturday, April 11, hosting Alfred University at 1PM.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
