Mariners Collect First Win of New Season

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - On Sunday, the United States Merchant Marine Academy men's lacrosse squad bested DeSales University in non-conference action, 8-2 in Center Valley, Pa. for its first victory of 2011. With the win, the Mariners evened up their overall record at 1-1. Following the loss, the Bulldogs fell to 0-2 on the season.

With 5:26 elapsed in the opening quarter, USMMA grabbed the first lead of the game as rookie midfielder Andrew Kratsch (Caldwell, N.J.) netted his second goal of the season. Seven and a half minutes later, the Mariners added to their lead when sophomore midfielder Joe Purcell (Mineola, N.Y.) scored his first marker of the 2011 campaign.

The Bulldogs were able to trim their deficit down to one when James Guerrier scored with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Charlie Wilmer followed that up to start the second quarter by notching a goal and tying the game at 2-all.

The go-ahead and game-winning goal came in the second quarter with 6:35 left. USMMA Senior midfielder Arthur Frooks (Manhasset, N.Y.) fired in his first tally of the year to give the Mariners the lead for good. Kings Point would go on to score three times in the third quarter and then twice more in the fourth, to lock up the 8-2 victory.

For the Mariners, senior attack Zach Gray (Scituate, Mass.), junior midfielder Adam Jerlow (Parker, Colo.) and Kratsch all scored two goals each to lead the squad, while Gray also dished out an assist. Sophomore attack Michael Ackerman (Malvern, Pa.) recorded three assists. In the cage, freshman Shawn Kane (Duluth, Ga.) picked up his first collegiate win and allowed two goals.

Head Coach Tom Gill and the Mariners return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Gettysburg, Pa. to battle Gettysburg College. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Story provided by USMMA Sports Information