ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Men's Lacrosse opened Empire 8 Conference play by falling to visiting Alfred 14-5 on Saturday.
The Gators (3-6/0-1 E8) kept it within reach early, trailing 8-4 heading into the locker rooms before Alfred outscored RSC 6-1 in the second half to secure the Empire 8 victory.
Midfielder Anthony Marrone (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Township), a grad student, who started the week leading the Empire 8 Conference in both points (28) and goals (26), led Russell Sage with 2 goals.
Senior defender Joe Johnson (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) caused three turnovers and picked up two groundballs, while junior defender Brady Dubay (Altamont, NY/CBA) caused two turnovers and registered three ground balls.
Freshman Jordon Hankel (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane), announced as the Empire 8 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week on Monday, (3-5) stopped 20 Saxon shots.
Alfred (3-3, 1-0 E8) were backed by a five-goal performance from Kevin Matson in the victory.
Looking ahead, RSC continues E8 play on Saturday at home against Saint John Fisher, currently receiving votes in the latest USILA national poll.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: The spring marks the first with Erich Skelly at the helm of the Gators…He arrived at RSC from Albright College in late January…Attacker Bailey Martin (Syracuse, NY/Onondaga Central), a grad student, and senior defender Joe Johnson (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls) headline the 19 returning Gators…Johnson received an honorable mention for USILA All-American team and earned first-team All-Empire 8 Conference accolades in 2024, program firsts in both awards… He was selected for the USILA D3 Team of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 16...Johnson registered six goals, 19 ground balls and six caused turnovers in a 3-0 week...Martin commenced the season as the program's career leader for points (146) and goals (96)…He surpassed both the 150 career points and 100 career goals marks in the victory at Saint Joseph University - Long Island on March 15...Freshman Jordon Hankel (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 16…The rookie only permitted nine goals and registered a .775 save percentage in a 3-0 week…Midfielder Anthony Marrone (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Township), a grad student, opened the week leading the Conference in both points (28) and goals (26)...He became just the fifth RSC player to reach 100 career points vs. VTSU: Castleton on March 19…Midfielder Adam Willig (Buffalo, NY/Amherst Central), a grad student, Johnson, and Marrone were voted co-captains.
