UTICA, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's lacrosse season came to an end on Thursday with a 9-6 loss to SUNY Delhi in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Semifinals. The Wildcats faced an early deficit in the game but clawed their way back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Delhi answered the Wildcat's comeback with a late push of their own, scoring three unanswered goals to end the game. The win advances the Broncos to the NAC Championship game on Sunday at Maine Maritime.

The first quarter began with SUNY Poly's Payton Thomas scoring the opening goal just 57 seconds into the game, giving his team an early advantage. However, SUNY Delhi quickly responded when Benjamin Moscatiello found the back of the net, assisted by Brett Fischer, to even the score at 1-1. SUNY Delhi scored two more times in the first quarter, with Kyle Brogan and Jack McClurg adding a goal each, while SUNY Poly struggled to find the back of the net. At the end of the first quarter, SUNY Delhi led 3-1.

In the second quarter, SUNY Delhi extended their lead to 4-1 as Jack McClurg scored his second goal of the game.

SUNY Poly made a strong push in the third. Delhi opened the quarter with a goal by Benjamin Moscatiello to take a 5-1 lead. Payton Thomas answered the call, scoring three unanswered goals in four minutes. SUNY Delhi's Benjamin Moscatiello managed to find the net to keep his team ahead 6-4, but SUNY Poly closed the gap with a goal by Michael Baker to end the quarter 6-5 in favor of the Broncos.

The final quarter started with Lyle Beeman scoring for SUNY Poly, tying the game at 6-6. However, SUNY Delhi rallied back with two goals from Jack McClurg and a goal from Jagger Beachak, sealing the victory for their team. The final score was 9-6 sending SUNY Delhi to the NAC Championship Game at Maine Maritime on Sunday.

Benjamin Moscatiello played a crucial role for SUNY Delhi, scoring three goals, while Jack McClurg contributed four goals to their victory. Payton Thomas was the standout player for SUNY Poly, scoring four of their six goals.

Defensively, both teams showed resilience, with Samuel Steng of SUNY Delhi making 11 saves and Joseph VanZandt of SUNY Poly making 10 saves throughout the game.

The ground ball battle was evenly contested, with SUNY Poly edging out SUNY Delhi with 34 ground balls compared to Delhi's 22. However, turnovers were evenly matched, with both teams committing 27 turnovers.

SUNY Poly's face-off specialist, Anthony Dillon May was solid for the Wildcats. He won 12 of 17 face-offs. The shot count favored SUNY Poly, as they registered 45 shots compared to SUNY Delhi's 33.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• Payton Thomas scored a team-high four goals for SUNY Poly. He finishes his sophomore season with 37 points on 26 goals and 11 assists.
• Lyle Beeman scored a goal and had an assist to wrap up his season with 42 points on 26 goals and 16 assists.
• Michael Baker had a goal for the Wildcats, bringing his season total to 12.
• Ryan Sparacino and James O'Neil each caused two turnovers in the game. They finished the year with nine and 12 CTs respectively.
• Joseph VanZandt made 10 saves in the game. He finishes the season with a 9-4 record with 119 saves.

SENIOR CLASS SPOTLIGHT:

• Dillon May had a solid career for the Wildcats. In his three seasons, May has played in 29 games, has 225 faceoffs, and is currently third on the all-time list of faceoffs won in a career at SUNY Poly. This season May was #4 in the NAC with 137 faceoff wins. May will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Computer Science.
• In 43 games played for the Wildcats, Andrew Maycock has recorded 88 points on 53 goals and 35 assists. He ranks 7th all-time in points with 88, is tied for 9th all-time in goals scored with 53, and is 4th all-time with 35 assists. Maycock will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Finance.
• Christopher Naldini joined the Wildcats this season. He has appeared in three games for the Wildcats and has recorded five points on three goals and two assists. Naldini will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Network & Computer Security.
• Ryan Possidel has played one season for the Wildcats as a goalkeeper. In 10 appearances, Possidel has recorded 35 saves in 192 minutes played. Ryan will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a double major in Computer Science and Network & Computer Security.
• In three seasons, James Rosaschi has played multiple positions for the Wildcats. He was a goalkeeper, appearing in nine games and logging eight saves in 125 minutes. He has appeared in 12 games as either an attackman or a defender. James will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Network & Cyber Security with a minor in Computer Science.
• Steven Sullivan has been great in his four seasons at SUNY Poly. As a defender, Sullivan has caused 49 turnovers, which ranks 6th all-time at SUNY Poly. He has also picked up 107 ground balls, which is ninth all-time, and has recorded seven points on three goals and four assists. Steven will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Nursing.
• In three seasons playing for the Wildcats, Bennett Smith has appeared in 14 games and has 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists. Smith will be graduating from SUNY Poly with a degree in Network & Cyber Security

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