Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The No. 9/11 Yale University men's lacrosse team rolled to its first Ivy League win of the year, defeating Penn 15-7. Conrad Oberbeck (Greenwich, Conn.) led the Bulldogs (6-2, 1-2 Ivy), which outscored the home team 13-4 over the first three quarters, with five goals and one assist.
Jeff Cimbalista (New Hope, Pa.) had three goals, while Ben Reeves (Macedon, N.Y.) added two goals and one assist for the victors.
Oberbeck opened the scoring 1:53 into the Ivy League game with an unassisted tally.
The second leading goal scorer in program history then fired one into the upper right corner of the net at the 4:42 mark.
Penn (3-6, 0-3 Ivy) got onto the score board 8:25 on a goal by Kevin McGeary (Haverford, Pa.).
Yale scored twice in a 15 second span late in the opening period to take a 4-1 lead.
Penn goalie Jimmy Sestilio (Montclair, N.J.) was able to stop an Oberbeck shot but Reeves was there to put back the juicy rebound. The rookie's EMO goal came at the 12:05 mark. Cimbalista then fired a Mark Glicini (Mahwah, N.J.) dish past Sestilio for the visitors' fourth goal.
The Quakers opened the second quarter scoring on a Riley Hupfeldt (Haverford, Pa.) goal. The assist went to Chris Hupfeldt (Haverford, Pa.), his older brother.
Oberbeck, seventh in team history with 154 points, completed the hat trick with 6:24 remaining in the first half. The senior finished off a cross cage pass from Reeves for the first of nine straight Yale goals.
Reeves scored his 15th goal of the season with 42 seconds left in the first half. The freshman finished off the Elis' fast break with a rocket into the net.
At the half, Yale led 6-2.
The Bulldogs broke open the game in the third quarter, outscoring Penn 7-2.
Michael Keasey (Newport Beach, Calif.) commenced the second half scoring 1:25 in. Thirty seconds later, Jonathan Reese (West Islip, N.Y.), who went 8-of-17 on face-offs, scored his first of the year. Oberbeck had the helper.
With 10:27 left in the third quarter, Eric Scott (Basking Ridge N.J.) circled the cage before sending one past Quakers' second half goalie John Lopes (Berwyn, Pa.).
Yale hit double digits on a leaping laser by Cimbalista at the 5:31 mark. Shane Thornton (Garden City, N.Y.) assisted on the goal.
Colin Flaherty (Eastport, N.Y.) bounced one through the legs with 5:47 left to give the Bulldogs an 11-2 advantage.
Oberbeck recorded his fourth of the game at the 10:13 mark.
Thornton closed the run with his second of the year, firing a Jason Alessi (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) pass through Lopes with 3:29 left in the third.
The hosts closed the third period scoring with two goals in nine seconds. Pat Berkery (Garden City, N.Y.) scored with 13 seconds remaining in the frame. Off the ensuing face-off Conor Keating (Gladwyne, Pa.) recorded his second of the year.
Penn scored twice in 14 seconds late in the fourth quarter. Nick Doktor (Rochester, N.Y.) had the home team's third consecutive goal with 4:53 left in the game. The junior, who entered the game leading the Ivy League with 3.00 assists per game, had helper on the Quakers' sixth goal, which was scored by Keating.
Oberbeck broke the four-goal Penn run with his fifth of the game, 118th of his career, at the 11:00 mark.
McGeary sent home his second of the evening with 3:19 remaining in the contest.
Cimbalista completed his hat trick at the 12:46 mark. James Tjarksen (Hartland, Wisc.) assisted on the sophomore's 13th tally of the spring.
Eric Natale (Westminster, Md.) made eight saves in the victory. His 345 saves are 10th most in program history.
The Bulldogs take a quick break from Ivy League action when they host Sacred Heart (4-3, 1-1 NEC) on March 31. The opening face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Filed by Kyle Young, Yale Sports Publicity
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman Ben Reeves (Macedon, N.Y.) has made an immediate impact for the Yale University men's lacrosse team this season. The attackman, who currently ranks among the NCAA rookie scoring leaders, has helped the Bulldogs to a 6-2 record and a No. 9/11 national ranking.
Following an All-American career at Palmyra Macedon High School, Reeves came to Yale. In his five seasons as a Red Raider, he totaled 585 career points, the second most in New York High School history.
"I began my college search during my sophomore year of high school," said Reeves. "I chose Yale because of the incredible opportunity to get an education at one of the best schools in the world while playing lacrosse at a high level."
" Shay
Reeves got off to a quick start to his first season as a Bulldog, totaling six points, two goals and four assists, in the season opening victory versus UMass-Lowell on Feb. 14. For his efforts, the Ivy League named Reeves its Rookie of the Week.
"I honestly was not sure what to expect coming into my first year," said Reeves. "My preseason goals were to 'get some playing time' and 'do anything I can to help the team win the Ivy League."
As the season has gone on, the freshman has continued to put the ball in the net, ranking second on the team in scoring with 25 points, 15 goals and 10 assists. The 3.13 points per game puts the two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week #### among NCAA rookies.
"The upperclassmen, many of whom I watched on television in high school, have helped me transition to the Ivy League," said Reeves. "They always have answered any questions I have to help me improve."
"Shay"
Reeves has also been able to make the transition to the Ivy League academically.
"Though difficult, balancing academics and lacrosse is very manageable," said Reeves. "You just have to be willing to put in the time."
Following the team's strong start, the freshman is looking forward to the Bulldogs' upcoming Ivy League slate.
"Because of our great coaches and incredible teammates, I only see us continuing to get better and have a great season," said Reeves.
The Elis host Dartmouth (3-4, 1-1 Ivy) on April 4. The Ivy League action is set to begin at 3:00 p.m.
Filed by Kyle Young, Yale Sports Publicity
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