Box Score

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – With the game tied at 15 with 1:33 to play, sophomore midfielder CJ Cardo (Merrick, N.Y.) fired one into the back of the net to give the Mount Saint Mary College men's lacrosse team (6-8) a thrilling 16-15 victory over Hartwick College (3-10) on Senior Day Tuesday afternoon at Kaplan Field.
 
The Knights four seniors, Ray Bednarczyk (Carmel, N.Y.), Stephen Kozal (Brewster, N.Y.), Stephen White (Schenectady, N.Y.) and Matt Buonocore  were honored in a pregame Senior Day ceremony, commemorating them for their contributions to a Knights men's lacrosse program that is still in its early stages of development.
 
Tuesday's game saw the Knights run out to a 4-1 lead after one quarter. Hartwick then battled back with a 6-5 edge in the second, leaving the Knights up 9-7 heading into the break. Both teams were even with four goals apiece in the third, leading to an exciting finish in the final frame.
 
The Hawks tallied three straight goals to open the fourth quarter, putting them up, 14-13. Junior midfielder Jake Robison (Franklin Square, N.Y.) then tied the game with his fifth goal at the 7:34 mark. Sean Brown gave the Hawks the lead again at 6:16, putting the pressure on the Knights late in the game.
 
With the scoreboard reading 2:27, sophomore midfielder Sebastian Cina Jr. (Colts Neck, N.J.) redirected a Robison pass past the keeper to tie the game again at 15 apiece. The Hawks won the ensuing face-off, but junior midfielder Henry Schof (Montgomery, N.Y.) caused a turnover to give the Knights a chance to win. After a successful clear, Cardo found himself open and fired home to give the Knights the final lead of the game.
 
Junior goalkeeper Connor Haran (Massapequa, N.Y.) picked up the win with 10 saves. Michael Rourke stopped eight shots in the losing effort.
 
Robison and freshman attacker Shaun McMahon (Commack, N.Y.) matched with five goals and an assist each for dual six-point efforts. McMahon also tied Buonocore with a team-high seven ground balls and three caused turnovers on the afternoon. Cardo picked up a hat trick as well.
 
Cody Petillo led Hartwick with four goals and two assists to match the game-high with six points. Brown scored three times, and Zach Gropper tallied four points with two goals and two assists.
 
The Knights will play their final game of the season on Saturday, April 26, when they host Kean University in Skyline Conference action at Kaplan Field. The season finale is set to begin at 1 p.m.
 
Follow the Knights on Twitter at @MSMCKnights and the men's lacrosse team at @MSMCLacrosse