Shooting for Perfect

Heather Norris

The C.W. Post men’s lacrosse team is off to a great start to their 2011 season.  The team continued their undefeated streak last weekend, defeating both Chestnut Hill University 13-7, on Saturday, February 26th, and American International College 18-2 on Sunday, February 27th.

The pair of wins brought the team’s overall record to a perfect 5-0, 2-0 in the East Coast Conference as the Pioneers have begun to prove why they deserve their ranking as the top team in Division II.  In their first five games, the team has defeated opponents by an average of 13 points, only once allowing their final score to be less than double that of their challenger.  Most recently, the Pioneers glided to an easy 18-2 victory over the Yellow Jackets of American International College at home, on Hickox Field, on Sunday, February 27th.

C.W. Post took an impressive lead early in the game, leading 8-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to goals from seniors Nick Coric, Mike Messina, Tim Russo, Jimmy Johnston, and junior Eddie Plompen.  With the safe cushion of an eight-goal lead, the Pioneers continued their assault of AIC into the second quarter.  Post maintained its composure as goals from senior Vito Minerva, Owen Campbell, and Tom Giordano combined with additional goals from Messina and Plompen to boost the Pioneers’ lead to 13-0 going into the half

The Yellow Jackets scored their only two goals of the game in the fourth quarter, but their efforts proved futile as the Pioneers were able to score five more by the end of the game, finalizing the score at 18-2.  Plompen, who walked away from the contest with a team-high four goals, and sophomore Justin Patterson, who notched five assists on the day, led the reigning national champions, who outshot their opponents 46-22.

The Pioneers will look to continue their perfect run when they hit the road this weekend, travelling to Greensburg, Pennsylvania to face fellow ECC member Seton Hill University (1-1) on Saturday, March 5th.