Nassau Community College Upsets #2 Ranked CCBC Essex in 12-8 Victory
In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation's top lacrosse teams, Nassau Community College showed their grit with a 12-8 victory over the #2 ranked CCBC Essex. Both teams entered the game near the top of the national rankings, with Nassau ranked #3 and Essex holding the #2 spot, making for an intense and competitive battle. However, Nassau's offensive depth and solid team performance ultimately led them to the win.
First Quarter: CCBC Essex started strong, with Matthew Benzing scoring two quick goals, one unassisted at 13:30 and another assisted by Peyton Moritzen at 8:43, putting Essex ahead 2-0. But Nassau answered back swiftly. Brady Dolan found the back of the net at 7:07, assisted by Jack Lepore, narrowing the lead to 2-1.
Second Quarter: Nassau took control in the second quarter, leveling the score at 2-2 when Ryan Krudis netted a goal off an assist from Dolan at 14:30. Dolan followed up with another unassisted goal at 12:37 to give Nassau the lead, 3-2. The offensive attack continued as Jack Lepore scored twice, once at 7:12 (unassisted) and again just before halftime at 00:11, putting Nassau ahead 5-3 at the break. Despite a response from CCBC Essex's Ezekiel Lomax, Nassau's momentum was undeniable.
Third Quarter: The third quarter saw Nassau extend their lead. Dolan, who played a crucial role throughout, scored his fourth goal of the game at 13:49, furthering the lead to 6-3. Jake Lewis quickly followed with a pair of goals, the first assisted by Lepore and the second by Krudis, making it 8-3. CCBC Essex's Benzing added another goal at 11:22, but Nassau's offensive firepower was relentless. Dolan's fifth goal at 9:36 and a solid performance by the defense ensured a comfortable 9-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Despite CCBC Essex mounting a late push, Nassau's lead proved insurmountable. Jake Lewis added another unassisted goal at 13:51, and Lepore's goal at 12:36 pushed the lead to 11-5. Though Benzing, Lomax, and Kyle Morrison scored for Essex in the final minutes, Nassau's defense, led by goalie Conor Dobson, stood firm. Dobson, who made 16 saves, played a key role in maintaining the lead throughout the game. Matt Drayton sealed the win for Nassau with an unassisted goal at 6:13, making it 12-6. Essex's Morrison would then score at 3:27 left before Lomax scored one final goal for Essex as time wound down.
Standout Performances: Brady Dolan was the standout player of the game, scoring four goals and adding one assist in a dominant performance. Jack Lepore was crucial as well, contributing three goals and two assists. Jake Lewis added three goals and an assist, while Ryan Krudis provided valuable support with a goal and an assist. Goalie Conor Dobson earned the win with an impressive 16-save performance, while keeping CCBC Essex's offense in check.
Team Stats: Nassau outshot Essex 40-34, but their efficiency in shooting and their solid ground ball work (43-36) played a major role in the victory. Despite losing the faceoff battle (3-19), Nassau capitalized on key turnovers and strong defensive efforts. The Nassau defense was also effective on clears, successfully completing 24 of 27 attempts, compared to Essex's 16 of 24.
Penalties: Nassau was disciplined in comparison to CCBC Essex, who committed six penalties for four minutes. Nassau was penalized for three infractions totaling three minutes, which helped maintain their control over the game's tempo.
Conclusion: With this impressive win over the #2 ranked team in the nation, Nassau Community College solidified their place as one of the top lacrosse teams in the country. This victory sets them up for a promising remainder of the season as they look to continue building momentum with key performances across the roster.
