Ga. Tech Sweeps Arizona

(Photo by Kevin Schoonover)

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Georgia Tech men’s lacrosse team came into the Valley of the Sun and cruised to a pair of victories.

On Friday night, the Yellow Jackets took on the Arizona State and the Sun Devils were desperate for a win, having played the hardest schedule in the MCLA thus far.

Tech got on the board first, but the Sun Devils answered shortly after. The first quarter was back and forth and ended in a 3-3 tie. The Jackets began to assert themselves in the second quarter working their way to a 7-4 halftime lead.

Georgia Tech opened the third quarter with a strong multi-shot possession and rang several shots off the post. Tech was able to cause a turnover on the ride and get a quick goal.

The Jackets picked up the intensity in the middle of the field and were able to take advantage of several broken situations leading to goals, building a 12-4 lead after the third quarter.

Georgia Tech dominated most of the fourth quarter, as well, cruising to the 15-6 win. The effort from Tech was highlighted by a dominant night at the faceoff dot by Mike Pullen and Tyler Harper.

Offensively, Tech was balanced and was able to attack in multiple phases leading to several assisted goals. The defense was strong throughout, and as has been the Tech formula all season, it was helped by fresh legs being rotated in front of Gino Pagliaro.

The Jackets finished their road trip with a matchup against Arizona late Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats were also hungry for a win after a tough opening to the season.

After a series of slow starts, the Jackets changed things up and opened the game on a tear, building a 5-0 lead before the Wildcats could answer. The Jackets kept the pressure on all day on its way to the 23-7 win.

The Tech attack of Devin Raun, Conrad McEvoy and Jack Maginnes combined for 23 points on the day, but it was a total team effort as the Jackets assisted on 16 of their 23 goals.

Tech was once again dominant at the face off dot behind Pullen and Harper. Two-way middies Tyler Seifert, Nick Witten, Jack Darcy, and Jameson Wilkins rambled all over the field and made their presence felt on both ends.

The Wreck once again employed platoons on defense and kept the Wildcats on their heels all day. Captain Sam Ranck made numerous smart plays in the clearing game and distributed the ball well. Alex Crombie made the start in cage and was solid throughout.

The game wraps up the Jackets' westward trip with a 2-0 record and a combined score of a 38-13.