Information Provided By Le Moyne Sports Information


SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Top-ranked and undefeated Le Moyne used a five-goal outburst at the end of the first quarter en route to defeating #4 Merrimack 15-5 in the NCAA semifinal on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex. With the victory, the Dolphins advance to face C.W. Post in the National Championship game on Sunday, May 24 at Gillette Field. Le Moyne has reached the title game each of the last four seasons.

Le Moyne was led offensively by sophomore Jack Venditti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) with four goals. Midfielder Brian Welch (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca) added two goals and dished out four assists. Nick DiSarro (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna), Matt Chadderdon (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) and Keith Vetter (Jamesville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) each added two goals.

The Warriors and Dolphins traded possessions through the first few minutes of the game with each team offering shots on goal. With 3:11 remaining in the opening period, the Dolphins unleashed a barrage of shots on the Merrimack defense and recorded five goals in a span of 1:31. Jack Harmatuk (Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy/Syracuse U.) recorded the first goal of the day, beating Merrimack’s Corey Spinale. The Dolphins were sparked by face-off wins by Brian Griffin (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) as Venditti scored two goals in 10 seconds. With 1:47 remaining, Taylor Brooks (Cypress, Tex./Cy-Fair) scored an unassisted goal and DiSarro followed with a goal seven seconds later to give the Dolphins a 5-0 advantage.

Behind Northeast-10 Conference Goalie of the Year Doug McIver (Altamont, N.Y./Albany Academy), Le Moyne held Merrimack scoreless in the first half. The senior netminder recorded 11 saves on the afternoon.

Entering the fourth period, the Dolphins held a 10-goal lead, at 12-2. Goals from the Northeast-10 Player of the Year Greg Rogowski and one from Bryan MacPhie cut the Dolphin lead to an eight-goal margin. With 6:14 remaining, the game was halted for 45 minutes for a lighting delay. Chadderdon the Dolphins final goal of the day with 4:30 remaining before the game was stopped once more on the threat of lighting in the area.

Merrimack wraps up their season at 14-3 overall with all three losses coming at the hands of Le Moyne.

After defeating Limestone 12-9 in the other semifinal game, C.W. Post and Le Moyne will meet for the second time this season in Foxboro. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports. Le Moyne topped the Pioneers 6-5 on March 21 in the Carrier Dome. The Dolphins (16-0) have won the last seven meeting with the Pioneers and hold a 7-2 overall series advantage.