NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - Zack Rusch and Sean Stanners scored two goals, and John Miller added two assists, but it wasn't enough as the Griffins fell to Merrimack College, 16-9, in the NCAA Division II Semifinals Sunday evening at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.
// NOTABLES
• Seton Hill ends their season with a record of 17-2, the most wins in program history and their first trip to the NCAA Semifinals
• Merrimack out shot Seton Hill, 39-26, overall.
• Max Eismann grabbed 14 saves in what is only the second loss of his career.
• SHU caused 10 Warrior turnovers, but committed 13 compared to 11 for Merrimack.
• The Warrior's won 17-of-28 face off's with Seton Hill winning 11.
// FIRST QUARTER
• Back-to-back goals by Zack Rusch gave Seton Hill an early 2-0 lead. However, Merrimack responded with goals from Charlie Bertrand and Sean Black to tie the game at two apiece with 8:54 remaining. Brett Craig's goal off the following faceoff regained the Griffin lead, 3-2, with 7:54 to go. Merrimack's Jack Trask would tie the game again, this time at 3-3 with 1:59 remaining.
// SECOND QUARTER
• Merrimack started out strong, scoring three-straight goals to take their first lead of the game. Bertrand scored the opening drive followed by goals from Michael O'Connell and another from Sean Black to give the Warriors a 6-3 advantage. After a Seton Hill shot went wide of the net, Merrimack's Dom Thomas scored to increase the Warrior's lead to 7-3 with 6:26 remaining in the quarter. Sean Stanners finally broke the ice for the Griffins, scoring off of a Jack Moran assist with 3:34 remaining to cut into the deficit heading into the break.
// THIRD QUARTER
• Merrimack again started out a quarter strong, outscoring the Griffins by a 3-1 margin to take a 10-5 lead with 9:44 remaining. Seton Hill would respond with goals from Stanners and Maloni to make it 10-7, but a goal from Merrimack's Blake Boudreau stopped the Griffin charge. The home team would own an 11-7 advantage heading into the fourth.
// FOURTH QUARTER
• The Griffins started off the fourth with a faceoff win, but a turnover and a quick goal by Merrimack put the home team ahead, 12-7, with 13:00 remaining in the game. Jack Moran broke through with a goal at the 10:56 mark followed by a goal from Rusch to give SHU a fighting chance, but still trailing 13-9. After a Merrimack timeout, the Warriors would score score three straight and hold on for the 16-9 victory.
// FOLLOW US
Athletics.SetonHill.edu is your one-stop destination for all things SHU Athletics. The men's lacrosse team can also be followed on Twitter (@SetonHillLax) and Instagram (@SetonHillLax).
