Men's Lacrosse: FINAL FOUR BOUND! Knights Take Down Riverhawks to Advance to National Semifinals

By Rocco Geppi

Rosedale, Md. -- For the first time in five years, the Knights are heading to the NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Semifinals, on the heels of an 18-9 quarterfinal victory over Anne Arundel. 

"It feels really good for the second and third-year sophomores that have helped us turn the corner and get us back to a position where we are competing at this level," said head coach Shawn Burke. 

Anne Arundel (6-7) struck first on a Sam Weisshaar goal 8:47 into the game.

It was the Riverhawks last goal of the first quarter. 

The Knights ended the first frame on a 7-0 run and took an 11-3 lead into the break. 

Will Schmidt (Glen Arm, Md.) scored at 8:19 to put the Knights on the board.

While Anne Arundel did a good job bottling up Kyle Guenther (Haymarket, Va.) - who scored 14 goals against the Riverhawks in their previous two meetings - he still managed a goal and an assist.

However, other Knights took advantage of the attention Guenther was receiving. 

Josh Schelfe (Pasadena, Md.), Pat Ruffolo (Vienna, Va.) and Evan Park (Finksburg, Md.) each scored a game-high tying three goals.

Schelfe (2) and Ruffolo (4) also combined to for six assists and finished with five and seven points, respectively. 

Gabe Lichtenstein (Pikesville, Md.) added a pair of goals on two shots. 

Anne Arundel never came within seven of the Knights lead after the break. 

The Knights (9-4) defense played extremely tough, holding the Riverhawks to just 23 shots on goal.

Defender Nick Woodard (Stafford, Va.) finished with four ground balls and game-high two caused turnovers. He also scored two goals.

Jacob Lantz (Perry Hall, Md.) was thrust into action in the first quarter and finished with seven saves in 46:26. Starting goalie Piers McGinn (Vinton, Va.) also had seven saves in limited action. 

Gannon Tracy (St. Leonard, Md.) helped the Knights control the tempo, winning 21-of-28 faceoffs. He and teammate Caleb McNaull also finished with with a game-high five ground balls. 

Next up, the fourth seeded Knights will take on number one seed and tournament host Nassau Community College. The game is scheduled for this Saturday at 1 p.m.