The first Saturday of spring term saw an exciting athletic competition for Dutchmen sports with Men’s Lacrosse competing in their spring opener. The Men’s Lacrosse team faced Ithaca in a close scoring game. The Dutchmen were victorious as they beat the Bombers 14-10 and celebrated their senior class.

Michael Sands ’20 gave Union a 1-0 lead as he scored the first goal of the game at the 2:15 mark. Ithaca was quick to respond as the Bombers scored four straight goals.

The Dutchmen were down by three with only four minutes left on the clock. Aidan Flood ’21 netted one into the goal with three minutes and 20 seconds left.

Fifteen seconds after Flood ’21 scored, Hayden Frey ’21 also scored with an assist from Alex Newhouse ’19. The first stanza ended 4-3 with the Dutchmen trailing by one.

Ithaca extended their lead in the second quarter. The Bombers scored another set of four goals in a row, leading 8-3 with three minutes left in the half. Josh Willis ’20 scored in the last three minutes bringing the Dutchmen within four points heading into halftime.

The Dutchmen made a comeback in the third quarter as they scored five goals while the Bombers were scoreless. Strong efforts were made by the sophomore class as they were able to close the gap.

Brian Davis ’21 scored the first of the five four and a half minutes into play. Kieran McGovern ’21 scored three minutes after Davis ’21. Hayden Frey ’21 scored back to back goals, with an assist from John Edmonds ’19. The game was now tied, but it did not last long as Kieran McGovern ’21 scored in the last two and half minutes in the third stanza, giving the Dutchmen the lead.

Union increased their lead against the Bombers in the final 15 minutes. Keaton McCann ’21 was the first to score in the fourth quarter with an assist from Hayden Frey ’21.

Brian Davis ’21 scored soon after McCann ’21, giving Union an 11-8 lead. Josh Willis ’20 and Keaton McCann ’21 also scored with assists from Jimmy Connelly ’20 and Brian Davis ’21 respectively. The Dutchmen were now up by 5.

Ithaca scored two more times in the quarter bringing the game to a score of 10-13. Brian Davis ’21 scored the final goal of the game with an assist from Hayden Frey ’21.

There was a special recognition ceremony for the eight graduating seniors.

The senior class is comprised of Andrew Blau, Packy Brown, James Diver, John Edmonds, Peter McKinlay, Alex Newhouse, Jack Santilli and Jack Sullivan.

The win was huge for Union as they move to a 9-1 overall record and 3-0 in the Liberty League, remaining unbeaten in conference play.

The Dutchmen return to action next Saturday against nationally ranked No. 18 St. Lawrence at 2:30 in Canton, New York.