Drew Lacrosse Wins Second Championship

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Drew’s men’s lacrosse team won its second title of the season by defeating Swarthmore, 7-5, in the ECAC Metro/South Championships. The Rangers had lost to the Garnets two weeks ago, but avenged that loss with a big road victory to finish the season at 11-7. Jon Bucknan scored three goals in the win while Michael Celentano made 14 saves to be named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. It is the first ECAC Title for the Rangers since 2000.

Drew trailed for most of the game, taking the lead for the first time with one second remaining in the third period and for good with 11 minutes left, both times through Bucknam.

Swarthmore took the lead four minutes into the first period on a goal from Ben Young. Celentano made five saves in the first to keep the score the slim one goal lead.

The Garnets went up by two with 8:40 left in the second period, but the Rangers quickly replied. Jon Dowiak won the face off and Mike DeGiovanni set up Rob Budziszewski nine seconds later to pull to 2-1. Swarthmore retook their two goal lead with just over six minutes left as Max Wilson scored to go back up by two. The half would end at that 3-1 score as both Celentano and Swarthmore keeper Frank Mazzucco played well.

Bucknam got his first of the game to open the second half scoring with an unassisted goal for close range after Dowiak had secured possession for the Rangers with a groundball. The Garnets again countered to go up by two as Anthony Phalen score at 10:56. The Rangers responded with an extended spell of control over the game with Drew forcing three saves out of Mazzucco and Sean McNulty hitting the post. With just under four minutes left, Reading scored his first of the game taking a pass from Ari Young and ripping home from the right wing. The Rangers finally pulled even as Young scored his eighth goal of the season from a Mike Sayers assist at 1:38 left in the third period.

Drew would have been happy to enter the fourth period even, especially after Celentano was again called into action right after the face off to make another save. Drew took possession from that save and cleared to the attacking end. After a solid possession, Bucknam put the Rangers ahead for the first time with one second left on the clock.

Celentano kept the Rangers up for the first four minutes of the fourth period with three early saves before the Garnets beat him to tie it at 11:13. A key to the Rangers’ two titles this season has been the rapidity through which they responded to opponent’s goals. For what must be the tenth time this season, Drew scored fewer than ten seconds after their opponent as Dowiak won a face-off, DeGiovanni picked up the GB and Bucknam fired home to restore the Ranger lead that they would not relinquish. The goal was followed by a key save from Celentano that energized the Rangers. Mazzucco made saves on DeGiovanni and Sayers, but the Garnets couldn’t break through the Rangers’ rides as Drew forced turnovers on three Garnet possessions before a Gary DiClementi groundball set up Jon Bucknam with a chance for a fourth. Bucknam hit the post, but grabbed his own rebound then found McNulty. McNulty set up Reading for the insurance goal and a 7-5 lead for Drew at 4:36.

The Garnets pinned the Rangers in their own end for the next three minutes, but couldn’t get around Celentano. Four shots went wide and Celentano saved a pair (another hit the post) as Drew withstood the onslaught. With 1:30 left Drew finally got possession, but turnover it over again. Celentano then caused a turnover and grabbed the loose ball to set up the final possession of the game as Drew ran out the clock on a terrific season.

The Rangers finish the season one win short of tying the program’s record, but secured the first ECAC Title since 2000.