ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan College men's lacrosse team honored its nine seniors prior to Saturday afternoon's non-conference game against Walsh University at Redhawks Field.
And, as they have throughout their distinguished careers, the members of the Class of 2022, gave their teammates, families and fans plenty to cheer about in a 17-14 Roberts' victory.
"It meant the world to win on Senior Day," said graduate student Mitch Streety, who set career marks by winning 30 faceoffs and securing 19 ground balls. "All of our hard work has paid off. We have a lot of guys who have been here for a number of years and it felt good."
Senior attack Hunter Lemieux led the offense with six goals and midfielder Michael Pierog equaled his career-high with four goals. The Redhawks (10-2) also reached the 10-win mark for the first time in program history.
"The seniors took on great leadership roles today – both offensively and defensively," Roberts coach Rocky Delfino said.
The Redhawks jumped to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter before Walsh pulled within 6-5 with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter. Roberts used man-up goals by Dan Doviak at 1:59 and Lemieux with 14 seconds left in the half to spark a 4-0 run bridging the second and third quarters.
Walsh responded again and tied the game at 11 with 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic final 15 minutes.
Reid Jackowski scored to give Roberts the lead with 12:17 to play and Pierog scored his first of three in the final quarter with 9:01 to play.
Walsh pulled within 14-13 with 4:52 left, but Roberts converted a pair of man-up chances 40 seconds apart as Maloney finished a feed from Pierog at 4:28 and Pierog bounced home his fourth of the day at 3:48, prompting teammate Gavin Marsh to yell "have a day 20 (Pierog's jersey number), have a day."
"I was definitely feeling it, but it was all a product of our whole team moving the ball and working together," said Pierog, who established a career high for points in a game with six.
Lemieux capped the scoring for Roberts with another man-up tally, assisted by Jackowski, with 3:02 to play and the Redhawks were able to exhale.
Jackowski finished with two goals and two assists and Maloney added two goals and an assist. Doviak scored twice and Jordon Deats once for the Redhawks, who owned a 31-17 advantage in shots on goal.
The seniors recognized before the game included Connor Jones, Zach Cree, Marsh, Pierog, Streety, Maloney, Jared Bardeen, Anthony Diamico and Lemieux.
Delfino praised the group for their contributions to the program, while stressing that there are still games to be played and goals to be pursued.
"They have taken this program to that next level that we have been trying to get to," he said. "We had been knocking on the door and knocking on the door, but they kicked it in."
"All of these guys just came in here and changed the culture," Streety said. "We have a winning culture now and it is good to see it instilled in the younger guys."
The Redhawks wrap up the home portion of their regular season schedule against ECC rival and fifth-ranked Mercy College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23.
