BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University men's lacrosse team secured a 12-8 victory over Emerson College on Saturday at Bayside Field, fueled by a dominant third-quarter performance and an aggressive offensive attack.
Roger Williams pulled away in the second half after holding a 5-3 lead at halftime. The Hawks exploded with five goals in the third quarter, extending their advantage to 10-4 before fending off a late push by the Lions (1-4) in the final period. Despite Emerson's best efforts to close the gap in the fourth, Roger Williams maintained control to seal the win.
Malcolm Steegstra led Roger Williams with three goals, playing a crucial role in the team's offensive production. Brady Lee and Matt Kennedy each netted two goals, providing additional firepower for the Hawks. Jack Kester, Eric Brooks, Xander Daigneault, Ryan Vendetti, and Matt Ruck all contributed a goal apiece, highlighting the team's balanced scoring approach. Ruck, Kester, and Kyle Zirn each registered an assist, showcasing strong ball movement throughout the game.
Jack Burns spearheaded Emerson's attack with a hat trick and one assist, making him the most potent offensive threat for the Lions. Benson Offit added two goals to keep Emerson in the contest, while Brady Fish, Grant Wilson, and Alex Menendez also found the back of the net. Fish and Burns each dished out one assist, helping set up key scoring opportunities.
Roger Williams outshot Emerson 40-24, demonstrating its ability to control possession and apply consistent offensive pressure. The Hawks also dominated in faceoffs, winning 18 of 24, which helped them dictate the pace of the game. Additionally, Roger Williams collected 47 ground balls compared to Emerson's 23, a significant advantage in maintaining possession and creating scoring chances.
Defensively, Emerson's goaltender, Elijah Turbow, put forth a strong effort with 13 saves in the loss, working tirelessly to keep his team in the game despite facing a high volume of shots. On the other end, Roger Williams' Aaron D'Aversa stopped five shots to help secure the victory for the Hawks.
Roger Williams (2-3, 0-0 CNE) will travel to Wheaton on Wednesday, Mar. 5 at 7:00 pm in Norton, Mass. before facing off agaisnt Rivier on Satruday, Mar. 8.
