FIVE BULLDOGS SCORE MULTIPLE TIMES IN WIN

ITHACA, N.Y. – In a game filled with momentum shifts, the Yale men's lacrosse team emerged victorious in their first Ivy League game of the 2016 campaign, as they beat Cornell, 15-9. The Bulldogs have now extended their season-opening win streak, earning their first 6-0 start to a season since 1990.

The Elis faced a familiar deficit early after Big Red freshman Colton Rupp scored his first of the day. But, just as they have in every other game when trailing 1-0, the Bulldogs had an immediate response. Michael Bonacci beat his defender behind the net, and found Jeff Cimbalista, who was left open on the crease with a clear look at goal. Cimbalista quickly redirected the pass into the net, and the game was tied at one.

Yale controlled possession in their offensive zone for much of the first quarter, as a result of tight coverage by the Bulldogs in transition. Cornell failed three clear attempts within the first five minutes of the game, and the Elis were quick to pick up the resulting groundballs. On one second chance opportunity, Ben Reeves was left isolated with a defender behind the net. He used his favorite move, wrapping around to the face of goal, and using the separation to fire a shot over the left shoulder Cornell goalie Brennan Donville, giving Yale a 2-1 lead.

On the next offensive opportunity, Joseph Sessa was behind the net with space. He found Reeves on the right side of the net, who had enough separation to fire a shot. Instead, he quickly found an open Cimbalista on the crease, who scored his second of the game on the open look in front of net. Reeves then scored his own second goal seconds later, after a pick at the point gave him a clear path to the net, and he finished easily to build a 4-1 lead for the Bulldogs.

The Big Red scored two goals to pull within one early in the second quarter. While in the offensive zone, Reeves again found himself isolated behind the net. He wrapped around, just as he does before firing on net, but instead passed to an open Jason Alessi, who notched his first goal of the season to build on the Yale lead.   

After Cornell scored three straight goals in the middle of the second quarter to take a one-goal lead, Michael Keasey scored his first of the day on an open look from 16 yards out, and both teams looked set to enter the half tied at six. After Phil Huffard was forced to make a sprawling save after a shot from distance, he launched what seemed to be a desperation pass to the other end of the field. It sailed over, but the referee ruled it a shot, and Yale retained possession with 0.4 seconds remaining. Eric Scott then found an open Jeff Cimbalista, who scored his third of the day as the horn sounded. The goal was disputed, but the referees congregated and ultimately gave Yale the goal, and a 7-6 lead into halftime.

At the half, the game was nearly even on the scoreline, and the statistics confirmed that there was no clear advantage. The Elis led in groundballs, 15-13, but were even from the face-off position. But the last second goal appeared to swing momentum back in the Bulldogs' favor, as they opened the third quarter with energy on both sides of the field. After allowing 6 goals in the first half, the most they have given up in any half all season, the defensive unit stuffed nearly possession the Big Red had in the third quarter.

John Edmonds, the leading point scorer for the Big Red, was limited to just one goal and no assists Saturday. He was covered primarily by Michael Quinn, but the Yale defensive unit, now recognized as one of the best team defenses in the nation, were always aware of his presence, and effectively shut him down, regardless of who covered him.

A highlight for the Yale defense was junior defenseman Christopher Keating. Oftentimes overshadowed in the national media by Michael Quinn, Keating had yet another incredible performance for the Bulldogs' defense, especially in the second half. Keating had two caused turnovers, and eight groundballs, and oftentimes started the clearing attempts for the Elis. In the past two games, he has logged 13 groundballs and five caused turnovers, and now leads the team in both categories.

While the Cornell offense stalled in the second half, the Bulldogs continued to pour on goals. Reeves scored off his signature move for the second time in the game, as Cornell is now the third team that was unable to find an answer for his aggressive sprint to the face of the goal from behind the net. Keasey scored another goal off a shot from distance, and added one more on an impressive individual effort, running past four Big Red defenders before finding the net. Jason Alessi also scored his second of the game and of the season, also from the point position.

In the final frame, the teams alternated goals, but the difference ultimately came down to defensive composure. The Bulldogs were aggressive on defense in the second half, not allowing easy passes in transition, and tightly guarding the Big Red's leading scorers. Senior John Edmonds, who had 14 points before Saturday's contest, was limited to only one goal for Cornell, as Michael Quinn was responsible for shutting him down in coverage.

Meanwhile, the Cornell defense collapsed on a few occasions in the final quarter. Reeves was covered by four Big Red defenders late in the game, but he managed to get a pass off to Michael Keasey, who finished into the open net to score his fourth of the game. A short while later, an errant pass by a Cornell defender was caught by Ben Reeves, who wrapped around the crease and finished into another open net. These goals served as braces that secured the Bulldogs' six consecutive win by three or more goals.

The Bulldogs began Ivy League play with a convincing victory over their Ithaca rivals. Their 6-0 start is an indication of how the 2016 campaign is building to become a historic season for the Elis. While allowing the most goals to an opponent so far, their offensive efficiency allowed them to score 15 goals, the second most of any game in 2016.

The team returns to Reese Stadium next weekend to continue Ivy League play against Princeton. The opening face-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the game can be viewed on the Ivy League Digital Network.

filed by Andrew Del Vecchio '19 (andrew.delvecchio@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity

Ted Keating photo