Quinnipiac University
Siena
QU Men's Lacrosse Falls Short at Siena in MAAC Opener, 9-6
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
- Box Score
- Season Stats
- MAAC Men's Lacrosse Standings
ALBANY, N.Y. – Senior Colin Nesdale (Cheshire, Conn.) shined between the pipes in his first career start on Saturday, but a strong fourth quarter by the home team left the visiting Bobcats on the wrong end of a 9-6 decision at Siena College. It was the 2015 conference opener for both clubs.
Returning to Siena for the first time in some 14 years, Quinnipiac gave the reigning MAAC champs all they could handle for 45 minutes of action. The Bobcats led for the majority of the game, stymieing Siena's potent attack through three quarters, but ultimately gave way to a late Siena run in the fourth.
Nesdale impressed throughout the entire contest, totaling a career high 14 saves for the Bobcats. Siena mustered 56 shots in the game, which kept the senior netminder on his toes for 60 minutes. He had at least three saves in each frame, including a game-high of five in the third quarter, compiling a 60.9 save percentage by games end. He also had six ground balls, another career best.
Offensively, Quinnipiac's senior class led the charge with Matt Diehl (Towson, Md.), Pat Corcoran (Stratford, Conn.), and Michael Sagl (West Islip, N.Y.) each having multiple points on the afternoon. Diehl scored twice, Corcoran had a goal and an assist and Sagl dished out a pair of helpers. Sagl extended his point streak to 38 games – still serving as the nation's sixth longest active streak.
A strong first half was in store for the Bobcats, as Quinnipiac earned a 5-3 lead at the break. Quinnipiac led 2-1 after the first quarter – getting goals from Matt Diehl and Brian Feldman (Canandaigua, N.Y.) – and then fought off back-to-back Siena goals with three straight to close the first half. Evan Weldon (Westchester, Pa.), Corcoran and Diehl each scored in the spurt.
Shortly into the third quarter, Quinnipiac garnered its largest lead of the game when Ryan Keenan (Oshawa, Ontario) scored to make it a 6-3 game. Siena scored two minutes later but Nesdale stifled the Saints throughout the remainder of the frame. QU led 6-4 with 15 minutes to play.
Unfortunately for the visitors, a wild fourth quarter went in favor of Siena as the Saints finally got to the Bobcats' defense. One of the league's best tandems in Connor Prunty and Richie Hurley sparked a 5-0 run, and Siena held on to escape with its fourth win of the season.
Quinnipiac's early lead was helped by success from the faceoff X. The Bobcats held a 10-9 advantage for the game and led 8-5 at the end of three quarters. Connor Devane (Wilton, Conn.) went 10-of-17 (.588) for the Bobcats.
Weldon gave Quinnipiac strong minutes by adding three ground balls and a caused turnover to his stat line. Carmen French (Lutherville, Md.) led the backline with three caused turnovers and five ground balls.
Feldman's tally in the first quarter extended his goal streak to three straight games. He has a point in five of the team's six games.
Matt Kycia (West Hartford, Conn.) and Ryan Lawson (Niskayuna, N.Y.) each had an assist.
Siena improved to 4-3 all-time against Quinnipiac. Hurley finished with a game high four points on three goals and an assist to lead the Saints. Prunty added two goals and Jordan Barlow had two goals and three assists.
Quinnipiac is back in action with its second MAAC game of the season, playing host to Detroit Mercy on Saturday, March 21. Faceoff is set for 12 p.m. at the QU Lacrosse Turf Complex in Hamden.
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