Chestnut Hill College Provides CACC Men’s Lacrosse Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week
New Haven, Conn. – (4/2/2018) – Earning decisive victories over the University of the District of Columbia, 19-13 on Tuesday, March 27, and Walsh University, 14-7 on Saturday, March 31, on either side of a hard-fought, 10-6 loss to #10 New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Chestnut Hill College was rewarded with a trio of players on earning recognition on the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men’s Lacrosse Weekly Report. Freshman midfielder J.R. Howell (East Meadow, N.Y.) broke out for nine goals and an assist en route to the CACC Rookie of the Week title, while senior goalkeeper Matthew Pedrick (New Milford, N.J.) equally divided 45 saves among the three contests to earn the CACC Defensive Player of the Week award. Meanwhile, an 11-point (7 goals and 4 assists) week earned senior attack Dylan Klusaritz (Slatington, Pa.) a spot on the league’s weekly Honor Roll.
Battling against the rain and UDC, Chestnut Hill College (3-5) overcame both in a 19-13 victory. Nine Griffins scored in the success, but Howell headlined the Scarlet and Gold performance with five goals. Pedrick did his best to douse the Firebirds’ rallying attempts with 15 saves. On top of his five goals, Howell also collected two ground balls and caused a turnover. Klusaritz led Chestnut Hill College with six points (3 goals, 3 assists).
Chestnut Hill College had the challenge of taking NYIT in Thursday afternoon’s contest. The Bears used a steady first half performance to establish a 5-1 halftime lead, but did not leave Victory Field #1 without the Griffins threatening their position in a 10-6 conclusion. Howell and junior attack Casey Brown (Havre De Grace, Md.) scored two goals apiece; the former additionally logged one ground ball. Pedrick made 15 saves performance to keep the Scarlet and Gold in contention.
Chestnut Hill College continued a home-heavy schedule on Saturday, March 31, with a late afternoon contest against Walsh University (Ohio). A united second-quarter effort saw five different Griffins score and separated the Scarlet and Gold for a 14-7 victory over the Cavaliers. Klusaritz led Chestnut Hill College offensively with five points (4 goals, 1 assist), while Pedrick (2-5) was solid between the pipes with 15 saves and three ground balls. Klusaritz’s four goals came with one assist. Howell was among three Griffins who finished with two goals and an assist. He also added three ground balls to his points.
The Chestnut Hill College men's lacrosse team returns to Victory Field #1 on Tuesday, April 3, when they host Molloy College in a 6:00 p.m. contest.
