Men's Lacrosse: No. 5 Knights Fall to No. 2 Harford, Bounce Back to Blank Carroll
By Devon Douglas & Rocco Geppi
Rosedale, Md. -- NJCAA fifth ranked CCBC Essex fell in its home opener 11-3 on March 19 to No. 2 Harford and returned last night to defeat first-year program Carroll 31-0, the team's first shutout victory in more than seven years.
In last night's win over the Lynx, the Knights (3-1) used 15 different goal scorers, as Ryan Frick (Glen Burnie, Md.) and Julian Schemm (Sykesville, Md.) led the way with four each.
Evan Clement (San Diego, Calif.) and reigning NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week Kyle Guenther (Haymarket, Va.) had three apiece, while Jesse Hightower (Rosedale, Md.), Braeden Allen (Warrenton, Va.) and Pat Ruffalo (Vienna, Va.) each had two.
Ruffalo also led the Knights with three assists.
Essex goalies were reletively untested, with starter Piers McGinn (Vinton, Va.) not facing a single shot in his only quarter of action.
Jacob Lantz (Perry Hall, Md.) relieved McGinn and played 32:59 and saved all three shots that came his way.
With 12:01 remaining in the game, the Knights sent Clement between the pipes. The sophomore had two saves to preserve the shutout.
The Knights had a 25-0 lead at halftime, scoring 13 goals in the first quarter alone.
With the game well in hand, the Knights took the shot clock down to the last second in nearly every second half possession.
March 19 vs. Harford
Two of the nation's top five NJCAA programs faced off in a non-region, non-conference game last Friday night as CCBC Essex fell to Harford 11-3.
The game marked the first challenge of the season for the Knights after they Knights scored 20 or more goals in their first two games, defeating Delaware Technical Community College and Anne Arundel Community College the previous week.
Harford got out to an early lead and netting four goals in the opening quarter.
Sophomore midfielder Will Schmidt III (Glen Arm, Md.) was lively throughout the game trying to help CCBC Essex find a rhythm by netting a goal in the first quarter and making several goal threating passes for teammates.
At the start of the third quarter, the Knights showed energy and gave Harford a physical battle. The CCBC Essex defense displayed it toughness with checks to slow down the Fighting Owls.
Despite the outcome, Knight's freshman goalie McGinn impressed with 12 saves on the night.
The two powerhouse programs face off again on April 9 in a game that will impact the regional standings and tournament seeding. It'll be on the road at the Harford Athletic Complex. Game time is scheduled at 7 p.m.
Next Game
The Knights are back home this Saturday to open its Maryland Juco Conference/Region XX schedule in a rematch against Anne Arundel. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
While spectators are currently not yet permitted inside the stadium bleachers, the game will be broadcasted at www.youtube.come/ccbcessexknights.