Junior Mike Donnelly scored three goals and added an assist as the 19th-ranked and fifth-seeded St. Lawrence University men's lacrosse team defeated fourth-seeded Ithaca in a Liberty League first-round game on Saturday afternoon in Ithaca, New York.

The Saints improved to 13-3 on the season and will advance to play RIT in the conference semifinals, while Ithaca fell to 9-6 overall.

Donnelly also picked up two ground balls, while Jack Hennessey scored three goals and picked up four ground balls. Peter Koch recorded two goals, while Mark Mahoney and David Jennings also scored for the Scarlet and Brown. Zachary Prime went 12-for-17 at the faceoff dot and grabbed a team-best nine ground balls, while Brian Gannon collected four ground balls and caused five turnovers.

Nick Brindisi found Donnelly, who netted his 42nd goal of the season, to put the Saints on the board first. St. Lawrence worked to build a 3-1 lead over the Bombers after the first 15 minutes of play.
Connor Brumfield scored for Ithaca and Hennessey scored his 21st of the year, as the Saints controlled a 4-2 halftime advantage.

St. Lawrence outscored the Bombers 5-1 in the third frame, taking a 9-3 lead with 15 minutes to play. Josh Della Puca scored his second of the game and Peter Koch added his sixth of the season in the fourth quarter as the Saints went on to outscore Ithaca 6-2 in the second half for the win.

"We wanted to get off to a good start and fortunately we were able to do that," said head coach Mike Mahoney '93 P'22. "Just a great 60 minute effort in all facets of our game. Most importantly we look forward to getting back on the practice field on Monday as a team."

Della Puca led the Bombers with two goals and two ground balls, while Brumfield and Connor Till both scored once. Brumfield, Logan Adams and Sean Seaberg each grabbed four ground balls, while Seaberg caused a team-best three turnovers.

Saints' goalkeeper Alex Terry, who ranks fifth in Division III with a 6.69 goals against average, made seven saves, picked up five ground balls and caused one turnover, while Connor Thornton made 15 saves for the Bombers.

The Saints, who rank eighth in the country in scoring defense, holding opponents to 6.87 goals per game, held Ithaca to just four goals.

St. Lawrence outshot Ithaca 39-24 and held a 27-11 advantage in shots on goal.

The Saints will travel to Rochester, New York to take on the top-seeded Tigers in the Liberty League semifinals on Wednesday, May 1. Opening faceoff is set for 4:30 p.m.