Palm Beach Atlantic Spanks SCAD, 21-14

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. –– Palm Beach Atlantic scored nine goals in an eight minute stretch to decisively defeat No. 8 Savannah College of Art & Design, 21-14, at SCAD Athletic Complex in Hardeeville, S.C. The Sailfish lead was eleven goals at its' largest point in their biggest offensive output of the season. Sophomore attackman Colin Price (Fairfax Station, Va./Lake Braddock) led PBA with six goals, while senior attackman Joe Ciringione led in points scored with nine (four goals, five assists).

SCAD (5-3) struck first at 10:57 before Price answered from Ciringione at 9:14, tying the game. The Bees jumped ahead again on another McKay goal from Shurson, and after Palm Beach Atlantic tied, they would score again. Senior Jesse Vanatta (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) brought the score even on a 17 yard bounce shot from Joe Ciringione, ending the first quarter tied at three.

In the second quarter, the Sailfish capitalized on several key Ryan Talks (Palm Beach, Fla./St. Andrew's) saves by pushing the ball in transition, leading to a four goal run. The first came from Ciringione at 11:22, followed by an unassisted goal from Dan Barry (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whitesboro), a goal from Dennis Koleda (Huntington, N.Y./Harborfields), and the first of the day by Bobby Hantske (Annapolis, Md./Southern). Hankske finished with four goals and three assists.

After some back-and-forth scoring, Palm Beach Atlantic carried an 8-5 lead into halftime. In the first half, PBA was a perfect 9-for-9 clearing and slowly turned the tide by winning key ground balls (the 'Fish finished with 32 for the game). Freshman Joey Mazzola (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Jupiter Christian) was integral in the middle of the field, grabbing nine ground balls and winning seven face-offs. In addition, SCAD was unable to answer the constant offensive attack by Palm Beach Atlantic, culminating in a nine-goal third quarter.

In the third, PBA began with a load of goals, starting with the fourth point from Dave Schultz (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's) at 14:47. Schultz commanded the middle of the field, winning ten face-offs, finishing with five points and fourteen ground balls. The next eight goals were scored between 13:14 and 6:21 of the third quarter, expanding the Palm Beach Atlantic lead to 17-6.

In the fourth, the lead was as large as 19-8 before SCAD made a scoring run late. PBA senior Joel Horras (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park & River Forest) scored the final goal for the Sailfish on a broken crease play to bring the final scoring output to 21 on the Bees' vaunted defense. The Sailfish defensive corps of Branden Bernstein (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens), Chris Bing (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa), Justin Shockley (Simpsonville, S.C./Hillcrest) held SCAD at bay for most of the game. Goalie Ryan Talks finished with 22 saves.

The Sailfish return to action on Saturday, March 31 at 4 p.m. against the University of North Florida (0-8). Follow Palm Beach Atlantic men's lacrosse on Twitter (@PBALacrosse) for more details and live-score updates of all games this season.

Game Notes:
–With the 21-14 victory, Palm Beach Atlantic is now 1-4 all-time versus the Savannah College of Art & Design. The win was the first for PBA in the series.
–The win was Palm Beach Atlantic's first over a team ranked in the top ten of Division II.
–Senior attackman Joe Ciringione leads all Sailfish in points scored with fifty-six (56). Sophomore attackman Colin Price leads in goals scored with thirty-four (34).
–Palm Beach Atlantic finished 24/26 on clears (92.3%).
–Palm Beach Atlantic finished 21/39 on face-offs (54%).