May 16, 2009
MLAX: LE MOYNE ADVANCES TO NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH
15-5 VICTORY OVER MERRIMACK
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Top-ranked and undefeated Le Moyne used a
five-goal outburst at the end of the first quarter en route to
defeating #4 Merrimack 15-5 in the NCAA semifinal on Saturday
afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. With the
victory, the Dolphins advance to face C.W. Post in the National
Championship game on Sunday, May 24 at Gillette Field. Le Moyne has
reached the title game each of the last four seasons.
Le Moyne was led offensively by sophomore Jack Venditti
(Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) with four goals.
Midfielder Brian Welch (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca) added
two goals and dished out four assists. Nick DiSarro
(Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna), Matt Chadderdon
(Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) and Keith Vetter
(Jamesville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) each added two
goals.
The Warriors and Dolphins traded possessions through the first few
minutes of the game with each team offering shots on goal. With
3:11 remaining in the opening period, the Dolphins unleashed a
barrage of shots on the Merrimack defense and recorded five goals
in a span of 1:31. Jack Harmatuk (Syracuse, N.Y./Christian
Brothers Academy/Syracuse U.) recorded the first goal of
the day, beating Merrimack’s Corey Spinale. The Dolphins were
sparked by face-off wins by Brian Griffin (Camillus,
N.Y./West Genesee) as Venditti scored two goals in 10
seconds. With 1:47 remaining, Taylor Brooks (Cypress,
Tex./Cy-Fair) scored an unassisted goal and DiSarro
followed with a goal seven seconds later to give the Dolphins a 5-0
advantage.
Behind Northeast-10 Conference Goalie of the Year Doug
McIver (Altamont, N.Y./Albany Academy), Le Moyne held
Merrimack scoreless in the first half. The senior netminder
recorded 11 saves on the afternoon.
Entering the fourth period, the Dolphins held a 10-goal lead, at
12-2. Goals from the Northeast-10 Player of the Year Greg Rogowski
and one from Bryan MacPhie cut the Dolphin lead to an eight-goal
margin. With 6:14 remaining, the game was halted for 45 minutes for
a lightning delay. Chadderdon scored the Dolphins final goal of the
day with 4:30 remaining before the game was stopped once more with
just over two minutes left on the threat of lightning in the
area.
Merrimack wraps up their season at 14-3 overall with all three
losses coming at the hands of Le Moyne.
After defeating Limestone 12-9 in the other semifinal game, C.W.
Post and Le Moyne will meet for the second time this season in
Foxboro. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS College
Sports. Le Moyne topped the Pioneers 6-5 on March 21 in the Carrier
Dome. The Dolphins (16-0) have won the last seven meeting with the
Pioneers and hold a 7-2 overall series advantage.
#1 Le Moyne 15 #4 Merrimack 5
SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 3 4 Tot
-------------------------------------
Merrimack............. 0 0 2 3 - 5
Le Moyne.............. 5 3 4 3 - 15
Merrimack SCORING: GOALS: Bryan MacPhie 2; Greg Rogowski 2;
David
Robinson 1.
ASSISTS: Michael Balbuena 1; Kevin Laplante 1; Bryan MacPhie 1;
Peter
Schielke 1.
Le Moyne SCORING: GOALS: Jack Venditti 4; Brian Welch 2; Matt
Chadderdon 2; Keith Vetter 2; Nick DiSarro 2; Jack Harmatuk 1;
Brian
Griffin 1; Taylor Brooks 1.
ASSISTS: Brian Welch 4; Matt Chadderdon 2; Jack Harmatuk 2;
Brian
Griffin 1.



















