ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The significance of Wednesday's East Coast Conference men's semifinal lacrosse game isn't lost on Roberts Wesleyan College coach
Rocky Delfino.
Delfino's third-seeded Redhawks (6-4, 2-2 ECC) will play host to fourth-seeded Molloy (3-8, 1-3 ECC) at 5 p.m. on B.T. Roberts Turf Field. The winner advances to Saturday's 3 p.m. championship game at top-seeded Mercy (8-1, 3-0).
The contest marks the first postseason home game in the history of Roberts Wesleyan men's lacrosse.
"I think it's special, especially this year when we have only had three home games," Delfino said. "The kids are fired up, the seniors are excited to have one more home game, so it does mean a lot."
The Redhawks jumped out to a 7-1 lead on their way to a 15-7 victory at home on April 3, but Delfino isn't taking anything for granted.
"This is going to be a good challenge for us," Delfino said. "We need to make sure that we stay disciplined."
As they have most of the season, senior attack
Hunter Lemieux and
Matt Gademske led Roberts with four goals apiece in the regular-season matchup with Molloy.
Lemieux (41 goals, 12 assists, 53 points) and Gademske (29 goals, 19 assists, 48 points) ranked first and second in the ECC in goals and points this season. Lemieux ranks fourth in Division II in goals per game (4.1) and ninth in points per game (5.3).
"It's no secret that the attack position is our strength," Delfino said. "You want to be balanced, so I would love to see our midfielders create a little bit more."
Possession is always key in lacrosse and the Redhawks are hoping that senior
Mitch Streety can continue his success in the "X." Streety went 17-for-25 on faceoffs in the first meeting.
"Mitch is a motor," Delfino said. "I love that kid. Mitch just wants to grind."
Delfino is also glad that senior defensemen
Colin Vandewater and
Jared Bardeen, who both missed the first Molloy matchup with injuries will be back in the Roberts lineup on Wednesday.
"He's just a machine," Delfino said of Vandewater. "He is the big engine on the defense."
Senior
Pat Hynes has started all 10 games for the Redhawks with a .563 save percentage and 8.87 goals against average. His save percentage ranks second in the conference.
"Pat has had a great year," Delfino said.
Molloy, which enters the game having lost two straight, is led on offense by freshman Jason Rebaudo (12 goals, 18 assists) and freshman Chris Delaney (19 goals, 8 assists) Rebaudo had three goals and an assist in the regular-season matchup while Delaney contributed two goals and two assists.
Freshman Adam Hyman has started all 11 games for the Lions and has a 12.79 goals against average and .506 save percentage.
All games during the championship will be broadcast live on the
ECC Network website and the ECC Network app on Apple and Android mobile devices and also on OTT apps through Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku streaming devices.
