CHESTER, Pa. – The Widener men's lacrosse team earned a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament semifinals after posting a hard-fought 12-10 win over Messiah on Tuesday night in their MAC Commonwealth play-in game on Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium.
With the victory, the fourth-seeded Pride secured a conference semifinal spot for the 22nd time in 23 seasons. The Blue and Gold will take on No. 1 York in the semis on Thursday at York College for the chance to make their 17th conference championship game and first since 2013.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST MESSIAH
- Trailing, 2-1, after the first period, the Pride fired in five goals while limiting Messiah to three to take a 6-5 lead at halftime. Connor Heisman, Bryant Maits, Nick DiCiccio, Adam Oldrati, and Jayce Dyer each scored in the quarter.
- In the third quarter, the Pride kept the Falcons at bay by outscoring them, 3-2, to make it a 9-7 lead. Maits, Oldrati and Michael Tagliaferri had one goal apiece in the period.
- In the fourth, the Pride saw Heisman score a goal 29 seconds into the period to make it a 10-7 advantage, but the Falcons cut the lead to one after scoring two goals. However, the Pride put the game out of reach after Heisman scored his fourth goal with 3:56 remaining and Matt Buckley found the back of the net with 2:36 left to make it a 12-9 lead.
- Heisman is now in fourth place on Widener's all-time goals list with 153 goals. The senior attack also registered his 30th career game in which he has scored three or more goals with his hat trick. Heisman also added two assists in the win.
- Tagliaferri led the Pride with three assists. Oldrati and Maits finished with two goals apiece.
- Andrew Spencer made a career-high 21 saves for Widener in goal to pick up the win. Oldrati paced the Pride with even ground balls.
UP NEXT
The Pride will face No. 1 York on Thursday in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament semifinals at York College. Face-off is set for 5 p.m.
