Farmingdale State - 12, SUNY Canton - 4

Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State men's lacrosse team improved to 2-1 on the season after earning a 12-4 non-conference victory over SUNY Canton this afternoon.

The Rams jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as sophomore midfielder Patrick Cowcer (East Northport, N.Y.) and junior attack Brad Rapone (Roslyn, N.Y.) each recorded unassisted goals in the first five minutes of the game.

With 2:33 remaining in the first period, Farmingdale State increased their advantage to 3-0 on a unassisted goal by freshman attack Michael Cegielski (Somers, N.Y.). After Rapone's second goal of the day put the Rams ahead by four, Canton (0-2) junior midfielder Chris Gamble (Carthage, N.Y.) closed the period with an unassisted score to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Only 13 seconds into the second, senior attack Philip Schaefer* (Holbrook, N.Y.) netted the Cegielski pass to put Farmingdale State on top, 5-1. Seven seconds later, sophomore attack Tyler Rifice (Bohemia, N.Y.) recorded a goal off the feed from Schaefer and the Rams would add one more first half goal as they took a 7-1 lead into halftime.

The Kangaroos closed within four, 8-4, late in the third period but Farmingdale State answered with goals by Rifice and junior midfielder Dan Caliendo (Sayville, N.Y.).

The Rams outscored Canton 2-0 in the final period as they earned the 12-4 non-conference victory.

Schaefer finished with a game-high four points on two goals and two assists, while Rifice, Caliendo and Rapone each added a pair of goals. Rifice, senior midfielder Donovan Devaney (East Northport, N.Y.) and freshman midfielder Nicholas Casazza (Seaford, N.Y.) each picked up a team-leading four ground balls.

Canton was led by Gamble who registered three goals and three ground balls.

Junior goalkeeper Thomas Fallon (Kings Park, N.Y.) had 12 saves in 54 minutes of action for the Rams, while senior Corey Spuck (Rochester, N.Y.) stopped 16 shots in the loss.

Farmingdale State next will travel to Hartwick for a non-conference game on Saturday, March 14th at 1:00 p.m.

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