Box Score Philadelphia, Pa. - (2/22/2014) – Senior attack Michael Melnychenko (St. Catharines, Ontario) and the Chestnut Hill College men's lacrosse team drew first blood against the defending National Champions, but Le Moyne College' five-goal run in the second quarter energized the Dolphins and proved the difference in a 13-8 final. Melnychenko recorded four goals on eight shots and recovered two ground balls.
 
Melnychenko got Chestnut Hill College (0-1) the initial lead of the contest less than two minutes after the opening faceoff (13:52). Le Moyne College (2-0) answered a little more than a minute later (12:40) on an unassisted strike from junior midfield Joe Corapi (Liverpool, N.Y.), 1-1, and then seized a 2-1 advantage before the end of the first quarter. Fortunately, the Dolphins ended the opening period with a penalty, allowing the Griffins to even the score in the second quarter on a Melnychenko man-up tally at 14:29, 2-2, and take the lead, 3-2, on even-man score from sophomore attack Tanner Fisher (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) at 11:34. But as play approached the six-minute mark, the Dolphins took charge, rattling off five consecutive scored to control a 7-3 halftime advantage. The second half was played evenly, but the damage was done as the Dolphins left Drexel University's Vidas Field with a five-goal win.
 
Junior attack Kevin Kelly (Basking Ridge, N.J.) headlined the Dolphins production with four goals, one assist, and a caused turnover. He was supported by two goals, two assists, and two ground balls from sophomore attack Mike Jenkins (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and a three-point game, two goals and one assist, from Corapi. In goal, junior Ben Romagnoli (Cazenovia, N.Y.) claimed the win (2-0) with 11 saves, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers.
 
For the Griffins, Melnychenko offensive production was complimented by a goal, two assists, two ground balls, and a caused turnover from freshman attack Alec Dambach (Howell, N.J.), and two-point efforts from junior Michael Landau (Lancaster, Pa.), two goals, and Fisher, a goal and an assist. Freshman midfielder Joseph Pozniak (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) was 9-of-23 (.391) and grabbed seven ground balls in the faceoff circle while senior goalkeeper made 12 saves and recovered three ground balls in the loss (0-1).
 
The men's lacrosse team plays next on Saturday, March 1, when they welcome Seton Hill University to Victory Field #1 for a 1:00 p.m. contest.