On Saturday, March 6, the Monmouth University men’s lacrosse team began its 2021 season with an 8-5 win against Manhattan at Kessler Stadium.
After the first quarter, Monmouth trailed 1-0 but scored four of the five goals. After taking ahold of the lead, the Hawks—who were sporting their chrome blue helmets, white jerseys, and shorts—never let it go. Manhattan was the first to score in the second half but in response, the Hawks upped the score to 4-1. A Manhattan win was out of sight.
With a hat trick was fifth year student and midfielder Zach Clemente, while graduate student and attackman Dwayne Mattushik provided two more. Racking in three assists was senior midfielder Max Brooks.
With this win, Monmouth is now 6-1 all-time against the Jaspers. With this being Monmouth’s first game in 365 days, they have now won six straight games against Manhattan.
Making their career debuts were sophomores, attackman Conor Macrae and Michael Quigg on defense, attackman, graduate transfer student, Dwayne Mattushik, and freshman, Patrick Orapello making his debut off the bench.
The Hawks continued their exciting success on March 13, with a win in double over-time against Siena at Hickey Field in Loudonville, New York.
The thrilling victory was all thanks to graduate student attackman, Dwayne Mattushik and Junior Midfielder, Andrew Duswalt.
At halftime, the Hawks were in the lead with a score of 5-2 before four consecutive goals by Siena changed the score to 6-5 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Monmouth refused to let up on the Siena defense and Mattushik launched into the back of the net for a goal with 2.7 seconds left in regulation, extending the game into overtime.
In the overtime periods, Monmouth outshot Siena 12-2 and scooped up the victory when Duswalt rebounded, providing a 7-6 Hawk win.
Monmouth is now 6-1 all-time against Siena and won six straight games against the Saints. The Hawks have their first 2-0 start since the 2016 season.
Looking ahead, Monmouth will host Marist this coming Saturday, March 20, at Kessler Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
PHOTOS COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
