Kosnik vs. RU
Ryan Mitchell, MU Sports Information
25
Winner Madonna MADONNA 4-1
11
SCAD Savannah SCADSAV 7-1
Winner
Madonna MADONNA
4-1
25
Final
11
SCAD Savannah SCADSAV
7-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Madonna MADONNA 8 1 8 8 25
SCAD Savannah SCADSAV 0 5 4 2 11

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse |

Balanced attack powers Madonna past SCAD Savannah

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Madonna University rode a dominant start and a relentless, balanced offense to a 25-11 win over SCAD Savannah on Sunday afternoon at Pulliam Stadium, pulling away for good behind a blistering eight-goal first quarter and Matthew DiSalle's late fourth-quarter strike that sealed the final margin.
The Crusaders seized control early, blitzing SCAD Savannah with an 8-0 first quarter in which eight different players found the net. Rico Hart opened the scoring at 13:43 of the first, and Benjamin Reidy's second goal at 7:57 capped the opening surge, giving Madonna a commanding cushion before SCAD had a chance to settle in. Vincent Palumbo pushed the lead to 9-0 early in the second quarter, underscoring the Crusaders' depth and efficiency in the offensive end.
SCAD Savannah responded with its best stretch of the day in the second quarter, finally breaking through on Sebastian Manuel's goal at 10:33 and stringing together a five-goal frame. Mason Hickman and Gordon Beck each scored during that run, with Beck's tally at 2:08 trimming the deficit to 9-5 and giving the hosts a measure of momentum heading into halftime. But the Crusaders regrouped at the break and quickly reasserted control coming out of the locker room.
Ryan Davis opened the third-quarter scoring for Madonna at 14:01, and from there the Crusaders' attack overwhelmed SCAD Savannah. Hart finished with four goals and one assist on 10 shots, while playmaker Jackson Gradstein delivered three goals and three assists for a game-high six points. Reid Dunavant added three goals and one assist, including a power-play strike with 14 seconds left in the third quarter that pushed the margin to 16-9. Aidan Mulry then scored with one second remaining in the third to make it 17-9, effectively ending any hopes of a SCAD comeback.

Madonna continued to build on its advantage in the fourth quarter, with Spencer Guppy's goal at 14:33 setting the tone for another eight-goal frame. Gradstein struck again at 12:21, while Dunavant added a man-up goal at 6:56 as the Crusaders capitalized on SCAD's penalty trouble. Braeden McCullough's tally at 4:04 made it 24-11 before DiSalle's goal at 3:12 closed out the scoring and locked in the 25-11 final.
Statistically, Madonna controlled nearly every phase of the game. The Crusaders outshot SCAD Savannah 61-33, including a 38-22 edge in shots on goal, and finished with 51 ground balls to SCAD's 28. Madonna also dominated at the faceoff X, winning 26 draws to 13, led by specialist Elvis Syrotka, who went 17-for-22 with nine ground balls. That possession advantage helped offset 21 turnovers and allowed the Crusaders to sustain pressure throughout all four quarters.
In goal, Jonathan Bendfeldt backstopped the Madonna defense with 11 saves, helping hold SCAD Savannah to five goals or fewer in three of the four quarters. SCAD's goalkeepers combined for 13 saves under heavy fire but could not slow a Madonna offense that scored in every quarter and converted consistently on man-up opportunities. With the win, the Crusaders showcased their offensive depth, faceoff strength and defensive stability in a comprehensive road performance.
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