Lynn: Cosenza’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Lift Lacrosse to Big Upset at #10 Belmont Abbey, 10-9
via Lynn press release
Belmont, N.C. – Freshman Xander Cosenza shined on the brightest of stages Saturday afternoon as the Lynn University lacrosse team went on the road and upset 10th-ranked Belmont Abbey College, 10-9. Cosenza scored five goals, including all four of Lynn’s in the fourth quarter, as the Fighting Knights went on a 4-0 run in the final frame to secure the clutch comeback.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lynn 10, Belmont Abbey 9
Records: Lynn (7-1), #10 Belmont Abbey (5-3)
Location: Alumni Field | Belmont, N.C.
All-time Series: First-ever meeting
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STATS OF THE GAME:
- Cosenza scored the first goal of the game, less than three minutes in, but was then kept silent until the fourth quarter. As Lynn trailed 9-6 heading into the final frame, Cosenza put the team on his back, scoring four unanswered goals by himself, to finish with a career-high five scores. Six of his nine shot attempts found the frame on the day.
- Nick Howard was active on offense with 10 shots as five hit the net. The junior midfielder logged a three-point game behind two goals and an assist.
- Stephen Polsinelli continued his streak of logging at least two points in every game this season as the senior buried the first two goals of the second half.
- Conrad Rhein tallied two points with a goal and assist while Mikey Urso and Chase Stokesadded helpers.
- Dryden Brous went 14-for-21 on faceoffs and led all players on the field with 12 ground balls. It is his fifth game this season with 12+ ground balls.
- Collin McClelland made a season-high-tying nine saves for the second straight game and picked up five ground balls.
- Peter Masters led the defensive effort with a career-high two caused turnovers.
- Today’s win marks the second-ever for Lynn over a top-10 opponent, joining last year’s victory over No. 8 Adelphi. Lynn now has four wins over ranked opponents in program history, including No. 20 Rollins and No. 12 Mount Olive in 2016.
- With two today, two against Emmanuel (Ga.) and three in the season opener, Cosenza’s seven man-up goals on the year currently leads the country.
- Lynn is off to a 7-1 record so far this season – the best start to a year in program history. The squad has also won six straight games for the first time ever.
- The Fighting Knights’ seven wins are currently second most in the conference.
- With Sunshine State Conference play starting next week, Lynn’s 7-1 record is the program’s best-ever out-of-conference record for a season.
- Cosenza’s five goals rank in a tie for second in the program’s single-game record books. Four other Fighting Knights have tallied five goals in a game, including Howard earlier this season, with Anthony Rainone holding the record at six.
- Howard has registered multiple points in all but two games this season while Polsinelli has hit the mark all eight outings.