Men's Lacrosse Defeats SUNY Cobleskill in Program Opener

CHICOPEE, MA - The Elms College Men's Lacrosse team hosted SUNY Cobleskill for their inaugural game in program history and 2024 season opener in non-conference action, Saturday afternoon at Leary Field.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 12 | SUNY Cobleskill 4
Records: Blazers 1-0, 0-0 (GNAC) | Fighting Tigers 0-2, 0-0 (NAC)

BEFORE THE GAME

Prior to the game, Elms Head Coach Rob Cross and first-year Nicky Miltenberger (Ridge, NY) were joined by Elms President Harry Dumay, Andrew Coston, Fr. Mark Stelzer, SUNY Cobleskill's Head Coach Greg Valachovic and junior Albert Sippio (Syracuse, NY) for a ceremonial face-off in honor of the program's first-ever game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms would win the opening face-off with Miltenberger earning the ground and giving the Blazers an early offensive victory. Moments later, SUNY Cobleskill would be penalized and first-year Miah Rondon would find an open first-year Luciano Jordan Canino (Dalton, MA) to score not only his first career goal, but the program's first-ever goal. Elms would extend their early lead with another goal from junior Matthew Salerno (Campbell Hall, NY) for his first of two goals of the contest. The Blazers would score once more in the first quarter when sophomore Connor Tobin (Northampton, MA) found Rondon to score his first career goal to extend their lead 3-0. The Tigers would quickly respond with two goals of their own to bring the score to 3-2. The second quarter would see Elms scoring an early unassisted goal by Rondon to increase their lead in front of their home crowd. The two teams would spend the remainder of the quarter trading possession until SUNY Cobleskill would find the back of the net before the halftime break.

The Blazers offense would begin the second half with a second goal from Canino off a pass from first-year Cam Gillis (Feeding Hills, MA). But Elms would not let their foot off the gas pedal with goals from two more goals from Canino, two goals from first-year Ethan Menard (West Springfield, MA) (one assisted by junior Ray Randall (Agawam, MA)), and one goal from Tobin (assisted by first-year Levi Kelly-Smith (Dalton, MA)), outscoring the FIghting Tigers 6-0 in the third quarter. The Blazers would carry their offensive momentum into the fourth quarter with two final goals from Tobin and Salerno to bring their lead to 12-3. As the game clock was winding down to its final seconds, SUNY Cobleskill would score their fourth and final goal of the game. The two teams would set up for one final faceoff, but before possession could be made, the final horn went off, and the Elms College Men's Lacrosse team would go on to win their first game in program history at home in front of an electric Leary Field crowd.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Canino led both teams scoring four goals with nine ground balls and five shots on goal.

• Rondon and Tobin would record two goals, one assist, and six ground balls.

• Miltenberger would go 14-19 in the faceoff circle with 16 ground balls.

• Salero would also add two goals, two ground balls,and an assist on the day.

• First-year Casey Dmochowski (Rutland, MA) faced 17 shots, saving 14 in his college debut in net for the Blazers.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Lacrosse team returns to action on Wednesday, March 6, as they host Regis College for their conference opener at Leary for a 12 PM start.

--

For continuing coverage of Elms College Athletics, visit www.ecblazers.com and follow the Blazers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.