Men's Lacrosse Hosts Albertus Magnus in Home Opener

AMHERST, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Lacrosse team hosted Albertus Magnus College for their home opener on Saturday evening at the Bubble at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 1 | Albertus Magnus College 22
Records: Blazers 0-2, 0-2 (GNAC) | Falcons 3-1, 1-1 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blazers opened the game with senior goalkeeper Caleb Smith (Suffield, Conn.) in goal, who made an early save to stop the first on-target shot he faced. Elms looked to transition the other way but struggled to complete its first clear. Graduate student midfielder Taahir Busaidy (Houston, Texas) created the first momentum swing for the Blazers by forcing a turnover and later collecting a ground ball. Senior midfielder Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.) added a ground ball pickup to help Elms settle into possession. The Blazers soon generated their first scoring chance when graduate student attack Devano Clarke (Barnstable, Mass.) fired a shot on goal, forcing a save from the Albertus goalkeeper. Elms continued to apply pressure during an extra-man opportunity, with sophomore attack Colter McComas (Hampden, Mass.) seeing a shot blocked before the Falcons cleared the ball. Clarke later attempted another shot that sailed wide, while McComas followed with a shot that rang off the crossbar, narrowly missing the Blazers' first goal. Smith anchored the defensive effort throughout the quarter, making several saves during a heavy stretch of pressure to keep the Blazers within reach. Smith remained active in the crease to begin the second quarter, recording another save and picking up a ground ball before attempting to start a clear. The Blazers battled to regain possession, with Busaidy securing a ground ball following a faceoff win. Elms generated another opportunity during an extra-man situation as Busaidy put a shot on goal that forced another save. Later in the quarter, McComas scooped up a ground ball and quickly fired a shot on net, again testing the Albertus defense. Smith continued to be a key contributor for the Blazers, collecting additional ground balls and making multiple saves as the defense worked to slow the attack. Elms also completed several clears to move the ball into the offensive zone and look for scoring opportunities.

Elms continued to fight for possession in the second half. Junior midfielder Elijah Dailey (Springfield, Mass.) secured multiple ground balls off faceoff opportunities, helping the Blazers gain control in the midfield. Smith added another save early in the quarter to stop a shot and keep the Blazers in the defensive battle. Busaidy contributed defensively with a ground ball pickup before Elms transitioned up the field. McComas later generated another offensive chance with a shot that went wide. Junior defender Hayden Zapata (Springfield, Mass.) added a key defensive play by forcing a turnover and collecting the ground ball, which allowed the Blazers to complete a clear and reset their offense. Smith closed the quarter with several more saves, continuing to anchor the defensive unit. The Blazers opened the final quarter with Smith making another save to keep the ball out of the net. Late in the game, McComas picked up a ground ball following a blocked shot to give Elms another possession. Clarke later forced a turnover and collected the ground ball, creating another opportunity for the Blazers to move the ball forward. Elms finally broke through in the closing seconds when McComas finished a shot into the back of the net, with Clarke providing the assist from midfield to put the Blazers on the board. With a hard fight brought by the Blazers, Albertus would take home the win 22-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• McComas would record a goal, with eight shots, four shots on goal, two ground balls, and win a face-off.

• Smith would make 20 saves of the 42 shots he faced, with three ground balls.

• Clarke would make an assist, with a shot on goal, a ground ball, a caused turnover, and win a face-off.

• Dailey would win seven face-offs and make five ground balls.

• Busaidy would add three ground balls and two caused turnovers, with a shot on goal.

• Zapata would add two caused turnovers and a ground ball.

• Cancel would record a ground ball.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Lacrosse team will host Emmanuel College in a conference game on Wednesday, March 18th at 7 pm at Leary Field.

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