Box Score RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Felician University saw six players record multi-goal games during its 16-8 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference men's lacrosse victory over visiting Caldwell University on Wednesday afternoon at Tryon Field.
Felician (6-7, 2-4 CACC) extended its school record for victories, and has recorded multiple CACC wins for the first time in its five-year history. The Golden Falcons completed their conference schedule, with their playoff fate to be determined by other league games on Saturday.
Felician junior Tajae McLean-Byrd (Bronx, N.Y./Mount St. Michael Academy) won the opening faceoff, picked up the ground ball, and scored the game's first goal seven seconds into the action. It was the 300th ground ball of his career, making him the first Golden Falcon and the eighth active NCAA Division II player to reach that figure. McLean-Byrd ended Wednesday with two goals, 11 ground balls, and a 17-for-27 performance from the 'X.'
The Golden Falcons, who never trailed, took the lead for good by caging four of the first half's final five goals. Scores nine seconds apart by Drew Gisinger (Beachwood, N.J./Toms River South) and McLean-Byrd, the latter with 2:09 to play in the second quarter, allowed the hosts to enter halftime with a 7-4 edge.
Felician took full control by tallying the first four goals of the third period. Caldwell sophomore Jason Staudte (Sound Beach, N.Y./Rocky Point) temporarily stopped the run, pulling his team to within 11-5 with a goal at the 3:48 mark of the third. But the Golden Falcons converted three more times during the quarter's final 2:08, with Matthew Branco (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook) connecting with Luke Dayton (Haddon Township, N.J./Haddon Township) on an 80-yard pass-and-finish at 0:02 for a 14-5 advantage.
Felician freshman goalkeeper Nick Grebe (Farmingivlle, N.Y./Sachem East) made 17 saves to earn the victory. Sophomore Robert Grasso (Islip, N.Y./Islip) totaled three goals, one assist and six ground balls, while Filipe Correia (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) and Jabes Escalante (Chelsea, Mass./Chelsea) joined Dayton with two goals and an assist apiece. Senior Cody Hildebrand (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Central) and freshman Liam Dunn (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Waterford Kettering [Mich.]) (1 goal, 1 assist) co-headed the defensive effort with five ground balls and four caused turnovers each.
Freshman Ben Taylor (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) turned in three goals and five ground balls for the Cougars (2-9, 0-5).
Felician concludes its regular season by hosting Davis & Elkins College at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be played at Clifton Stadium in Clifton, N.J. Prior to the contest the Golden Falcons will honor seniors Anthony Derin (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), Hildebrand, Al Huss (Mount Tabor, N.J./Parsippany Hills), Ash Kolz (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg/Lake Braddock [Va.]) and Richie Mejia (Clifton, N.J./Clifton).
