CHESTER, Pa. – Mike Kala'I,
Connor Heisman,
Jayce Dyer and
Nick Brennan each had a hat trick while leading the Widener men's lacrosse team to a 22-2 victory over Alvernia on Senior Night on Wednesday night on Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium.
With the win, the Pride improved to 6-6 on the season and 4-1 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Blue and Gold have won four straight games and five of their last six contests.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST ALVERNIA
- The Pride jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first quarter after Dyer scored two of his three goals, Heisman added the first of his three goals, and Adam Oldrati chipped in a goal.
- Then, the Pride's offense exploded for eight goals in the second quarter to take a 12-1 lead at halftime. The Pride's eight goals were the most they had in a quarter this season and their 12 total goals in the half were the most they had in a half this year. Kala'I fired in all four of his goals in the quarter, while Heisman scored his other two goals, Dyer added his final goal of the game, and Michael Tagliaferri chipped in one score.
- In the second half, the Pride fired in four goals in the third quarter and closed the game with six goals in the fourth to score over 20 goals for the second straight game. Brennan recorded his hat trick in the second half, scoring one goal in the third and two in the fourth.
- Heisman registered his 26th career game in which he had scored three or more goals with his hat trick. Heisman is three goals away from moving into sixth place on Widener's all-time goals list,
- Kala'I and Dyer both recorded their fourth hat tricks of their careers, while Brennan had his second hat trick of his career.
- The Pride had 12 players score at least one goal in the game: Kala'I, Heisman, Dyer, Brennan, Oldrati, Tagliaferri, Matt Buckley (two), Aegean Cuylan, Austin Novick, Luke Pollick, George Balascak, and Bryant Maits.
- Oldrati led the Pride with 10 ground balls and won 14-of-15 faceoffs in the victory.
- Defensively, Andrew Spencer made four saves before giving way to Keegan Billie and Sam Heister in the second half.
- Before the game, the Pride honored and recognized 12 seniors/graduate students — Heisman, Tagliaferri, Spencer, Cuylan, Tommy Fredericks, Kyle Pollick, Brian Maienshein, Zach Politarhos, James Lyons, Mario Scotese and Tim Irvine — for their efforts over the last five years for the program.
UP NEXT
The Pride will host York on Friday in a battle for first place in the MAC Commonwealth. Face-off is set for 3:30 p.m.
