Box Score Old Westbury, N.Y. - (4/30/2014) – In a game where the Griffins scored on more than a third of their shots, (11-of-29, 37.9%), possession played a large role in a 12-11 East Coast Conference (ECC) Semifinal loss to #1 Dowling College. Senior attack Michael Melnychenko (St. Catharines, Ontario) led an Chestnut Hill College early dominance that eventually gave way to the Golden Lions late three-goal run and superior play in the face-off circle (22-of-27, 81.5%).
 
Chestnut Hill College (7-6, 5-3) owned an 11-9 lead with 3:34 remaining in the contest, but the consistent center-circle play of sophomore midfielder Michael Fitzpatrick (Wantagh, N.Y.), who won 22-of-26 (84.6%) face-offs, provided the possessions for the Dowling College's (12-3, 7-1) final push. Melnychenko scored three of the game's first four tallies, leading the Griffins to a 2-0 first-quarter lead before late first-half goals from sophomore attack George Markey (Branchburg, N.J.) (2:47) and senior midfielder Zachary Donnelly (Newtown Square, Pa.) were need to reestablish the Griffins with a 6-5 halftime advantage. After the break, the efforts of freshman attack Alec Dambach (Howell, N.J.) and Donnelly kept the Griffins on par until a connection between senior midfielder Mark Winkelspecht (Laurys Station, Pa.) and Markey left the Griffin edge at one goal, 9-8, heading to the final frame. In the fourth quarter, the Golden Lions first tied the contest, 9-9 (12:05), before goals from Donnelly, 10-9 (10:59), and Dambach left the Griffins up 11-9 (3:34) heading to the closing minutes of play. But Fitzpatrick's face-off prowess finally paid off as the Golden Lions scored the game's final three goals with the game-winner, 12-11, coming nine seconds (0:09) before the final horn.
 
Senior attack Billy Richardson (Holbrook, N.Y.) headlined the Golden Lions offensive output with five goals while his classmate, midfielder Tom Cleary (Comsewogue, N.Y.) supplied four goals and two ground balls. In goal, freshman Frank Sommers (Brookhaven, N.Y.) made nine saves and recovered two ground balls in the win (12-3).
 
Melnychenko, Donnelly, and Dambach each recorded three goals for the Griffins. Donnelly and Dambach also grabbed four ground balls apiece while Markey added an assist and two ground balls to his two-goal game. Senior goalkeeper Joseph Donnelly (Newtown Square, Pa.) totaled 16 saves and recovered a ground ball in the loss (7-6).
 
The men's lacrosse team finishes the 2014 season at 7-6 overall and 5-3 in ECC play.