Idalis Fuentes - Union Athletics

#5 Men’s Lacrosse Prepares for NCAA Quarterfinal Bout with #3 RIT

5/15/2023 1:10:00 PM

Members of the men's lacrosse team celebrate following a goal against #17 Union.

The fifth-ranked Middlebury men's lacrosse team will travel to Medford, Massachusetts for a NCAA Quarterfinal bout against third-ranked Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) on Saturday, May 20 at 5:00 p.m. The winner of the game takes on the victor of #11 Lynchburg and hosts #1 Tufts in the NCAA Semifinals on May 21 at 5:00 p.m.

ABOUT MIDDLEBURY

Middlebury holds a 18-2 overall record and reached the NCAA Quarterfinals by downing Saint Mary's (Md.) and #17 Union in the second and third rounds.
The Panthers are making their 18th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and the first since 2016.
This is Middlebury's 13th appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinal round. The Panthers have advanced to the national semifinals eight times, most recently in 2009.
Following last weekend's victories, Middlebury improved to 35-14 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
This season, the Panthers have the fourth-best clearing percentage in the nation (.904), while holding opponents to just a 73.6 percent success rate on the clear. Middlebury also ranks in the top-25 spots in the country in assists (180), groundballs (752), player-up offense (.435) and points (472).

PANTHERS TO WATCH

Billy Curtis is the Panther points leader, tallying 66 on the year (25G, 41A). The attacker has registered three or more assists in eight games this season.
Russell Thorndike and William Ryan lead the squad in goals with 44 and 43, respectively. Thorndike garnered All-NESCAC Second-Team honors and is second on the team in points (65) having dished out 21 helpers on the year. Ryan is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (3) and player-up goals (7).
Tom Conley has been an engine in Middlebury's midfield this season. An All-NESCAC First-Team selection, Conley has tallied 23 goals and 18 assists while starting 19 of the 20 contests.
On defense, First-Team All-NESCAC member Luke Simpson has caused a NESCAC-best 44 turnovers and ranks second on the team in ground balls, picking up 71 this year.
Hayden Kern has started all 20 contests in the crease for Middlebury this season. The first-year goalie has registered double-digit saves on 11 occasions, most recently stopping 14 shots to help the Panthers slip past Saint Mary's (Md.) in the NCAA Second Round.

ABOUT #3 RIT

Third-ranked RIT finished the regular season with a 20-1 record with its only loss coming against then-#4 Christopher Newport.
The Tigers owned an unblemished 7-0 mark in Liberty League play and defeated Union 18-9 in the conference final for their 11th league title.
RIT is making its 24th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and holds a 36-21 all-time record.
The Tigers are the defending national champions, defeating Union in the National Championship game by a 12-10 scoreline.
RIT has made it to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament on 16 occasions and has moved onto the semifinals in 12 of those trips.

TIGERS TO WATCH

Luke Pilcher leads the team in goals (60) and points (87) this year. The senior has a team-high six game-winning goals and sits eighth in the nation in player-up goals with 12. Earlier this season, Pilcher fired in nine goals against #15 St. Lawrence.
Clifford Gaston and John Mozrall complete the attacking trident for RIT. Gaston ranks second in goals (48) and points (64), while Mozrall is the Tigers' leader in assists, tallying 43 on the season.
Defensively, Taylor Jensen and Michael Grace have been crucial for RIT. The pair lead the squad in caused turnovers with 38 and 34, respectively. Jensen has also scooped up the most groundballs for the Tigers (83), while Grace sits third with 60.
Will Sterrett has played the majority of minutes in goal for RIT and holds an unblemished 13-0 record this season. The graduate student has made 126 saves and boasts a .563 save percentage.

SERIES HISTORY

Middlebury and RIT have met five times in a series dating back to 1999. The Tigers hold a slight 3-2 lead in the all-time series.
The two programs have met twice in the NCAA Tournament with the Panthers emerging victorious in both matchups in 1999 and 2000.

#1 TUFTS NOTES

Middlebury and Tufts have faced off 60 times with the Panthers holding a 33-26-1 advantage in the all-time series.
The two teams most recently met in the NESCAC Tournament Championship game with Tufts prevailing.
The Jumbos advanced to the quarterfinals with resounding victories over Emmanuel and #10 York (Pa.).

#11 LYNCHBURG NOTES

Middlebury and Lynchburg have never faced off before.
The Hornets defeated St. John Fisher in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before downing #13 Denison 14-8 in the third round to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

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