Despite Injuries, M. Lacrosse Secures Win Over Penn

Junior attackman Ryan Hurley scored five goals and led the banged-up Red offense to a big day against Penn’s leaky defense in a 21-11 win over the Quakers. Cornell showed off its depth in overcoming injuries to senior All-American midfielder John Glynn, senior midfielder Tommy Schmicker and sophomore defenseman Max Feely that kept them out of the game; senior defenseman Matt Moyer also played through a leg injury.
It looked like a close one early on Saturday afternoon, as the men’s lacrosse team (6-1, 2-0 Ivy League) traded goals with the Quakers (1-6, 0-3) to end the first quarter with Cornell clinging to a 5-4 lead. Penn would score the early goal in the second period to tie the game, but that seemed to jump-start Cornell’s offense, which scored seven consecutive goals to take the lead for good.
“Early on we were forcing it inside and causing our own turnovers,” Hurley said. “We slowed it down and got back to the basics with ball movement and attacking at certain points and trying to get an open shot.”
Head coach Jeff Tambroni said that Penn also played harder than Cornell early in the game, especially on ground balls. Penn has not seen much success this season and a win against No. 3/4-ranked Cornell would have certainly made some noise for the Quakers.
“Penn did a better job early of being more motivated when the ball was on the ground,” Tambroni said. “After that first quarter our guys did a better job of playing with more urgency.”
Five different players scored goals during the Red’s 7-0 run, then Hurley and senior captain Max Seibald combined for the next six Cornell goals. Hurley scored on five of his nine shots in the game.
“[Hurley] has a knack for being able to score versus just being able to shoot,” Tambroni said. “He has a shot inside six or seven yards, you’re almost more surprised when the ball doesn’t go in. … He’s become just so automatic.”[img_assist|nid=36358|title=The biggest boss that you’ve seen thus far|desc=Junior Ryan Hurley scored five goals and led an injured Red offense to a 21-11 win over Penn.|link=node|align=left|width=|height=0]
Senior attackman Chris Finn’s five points lifted some of the scoring burden off Hurley. Freshman midfielder Roy Lang, senior attackman Kyle Doctor and senior midfielder Rocco Romero added three points apiece. The offense needed contributions from everyone to overcome the loss of Glynn, who is fourth on the team with 15 points this season.
“If that young man tells us he’s hurt, he’s hurt,” Tambroni said. “I’m not sure I’ve been around many guys with a pain tolerance and threshold like he has.”
Glynn’s injury (elbow) hurt the worst in the face-off circle. Cornell tried five different players on the ‘X’ but won just 14-of-35. Seibald, junior long-stick midfielder Michael Howe, junior midfielder Matt Sutherland, freshman midfielder Mitch McMichael and sophomore midfielder Kevin Raesly all tried their luck against Penn’s face-off unit. Seibald had the most success, winning 8-of-17.
“Max doesn’t take a lot of [face-off] reps during the week,” Tambroni said. “He just goes out there because he’s more athletic than most.”
Penn’s Craig Andrzejewski finished with three goals and one assist to lead the Quakers. All three of Andrzejewski’s goals were in the first period before Cornell’s defense regrouped to shut him down.
“He jumped out early and got a few quick goals,” Moyer said. “The adjustment was really just making sure we were playing better team defense.”
Penn goalie Joe Hegenen allowed 12 goals and made just six saves before being replaced at halftime by Greg Murray, who allowed nine goals and made seven saves.