McNulty Provides Game-Winner In Drew Victory

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sean McNulty scored the golden goal as Drew men’s lacrosse secured a 7-6 win at Catholic on Saturday and gave Drew’s Head Coach Tom Leanos his 200th career win. Jon Bucknam scored midway through the fourth period to force OT before McNulty’s unassisted winner gave Drew its fourth straight win and a 2-0 record in the Landmark Conference. Mike Celentano had another good game in goal for the Rangers with seven saves.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead early in the first period. In fact, the Rangers scored their fastest goal of the season in typical Drew fashion. Jon Dowiak won the opening face-off with Mike DeGiovanni picking up the ground ball. Just 11 seconds later, Mike Sayers found Bucknam for the game’s opener. At the 12:53 mark, Tyler Morse made it 2-0 Drew with an unassisted tally. The game turned into the physical, defensive battle following that second goal. Kyle Bryant scored with two minutes remaining in the half, to cut Drew’s lead to one. Late in the period, Bucknam hit the post in an attempt for his second of the game.

Five goals were scored in the second period as Drew took a 5-3 lead into the halftime break. First, Chris Fuccillo tied up the game at 2-2 with a goal at 11:12 in the period. After Dowiak won another face-off, Greg Reading set up Bucknam for his second and a 3-2 Drew lead. Catholic came back with a Casey Glad goal at the 8:14 mark before Morse’s second made it 4-3. McNulty followed with his first of the game at 6:30 for the 5-3 scoreline.

Despite four saves from Celentano, the Cardinals evened the score in the third period. Four minutes in, after Celentano made a pair of saves, Jimmy Sinnott scored off Mike Groh’s assist to make it 5-4. With just two minutes left in the period, Groh set up Mark Saxton for the equalizer.

Catholic took the lead for the first time in the game just over one minute into the period. Chris Fuccillo picked up a blocked shot rebound and finished by himself for the 6-5 home lead. Drew picked up the intensity on offense following the set back, drawing a pair of saves out of Catholic’s Sean McKenna. The Rangers finally equalized with 8:40 left as Bucknam got his hat-trick off Sayers’ assist. The Rangers drew three more saves out of McKenna and had an Extra-Man Opportunity, but could not find the winner in regulation.

Finally, in the first period of overtime, McNulty grabbed the winner. The Rangers forced a turnover on a ride before calling timeout to set up a play – derived, no doubt, from the 20-plus years of coaching experience in the brain of Coach Leanos - as the period wound down. McNulty’s unassisted goal with 47 seconds left gave Leanos the 200th win.

Leanos has recorded 179 wins at Drew in 21 seasons. Prior to his time with the Rangers, he posted a 21-24 record at Southhampton College. Three times he has been named his conference’s Coach of the Year. At the beginning of the season, he was ranked 8th in Division III in wins among active coaches and 14th all-time. His .544 winning percentage ranks him 38th among active and 45th all-time.

The Rangers’ next two games are both very tough non-conference tussles. Drew travels to Montclair State, which is receiving votes for the Top 20, on Wednesday before hosting #15 Cabrini on Saturday.

Story provided by Drew Sports Information