ALBANY — Senior attack Jack Pucci, made team captain this week, scored four goals and the University at Albany men’s lacrosse team overpowered NJIT 13-7 on Saturday at Casey Stadium to take a major step toward qualifying for the America East Conference Tournament.
Peter Salit added a goal and three assists for the Great Danes (4-6, 3-2 league), who began the day tied for fourth in the standings. The top four teams qualify for the conference tournament.
“It was a must-win, there’s no question,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr said. “With everything that’s going on in the conference, you never know. You’ve got to take care of your own business.”
UAlbany broke a 3-3 tie in the second quarter with six consecutive goals, including a pair by Pucci, who has 20 for the season. Marr named Pucci captain this week for the remainder of the season after previously alternating the honor among seniors.
“His confidence level is really high right now and he’s playing smart,” Marr said. “He’s doing really good things with the ball. He’s understanding his dodging angles and how he has to get to the goal, getting his hands free to shoot against a pole. He’s really, really matured over the last year, so he’s been a tremendous leader.”
UAlbany goalie Jack VanValkenburgh had nine saves. NJIT dropped to 2-9 and 0-5.
The Great Danes host Yale on Friday in a nonleague game before returning to America East play next Sunday against Merrimack at Casey Stadium.
Saturday’s game was preceded by a clinic run by former UAlbany lacrosse great Lyle Thompson and his brothers Jeremy and Jerome. His brother Miles, with whom Lyle shared the Tewaaraton Award in 2014, was unable to attend because of a family obligation.
UAlbany women
In other lacrosse action, the UAlbany women scored seven unanswered goals…
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