CORAL GABLES, Fla. –– For the first time in school history, the No. 25 Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish defeated the Miami Hurricanes (1-12). Playing in Miami’s first game at Cobb Stadium, the Sailfish lead was as many as eight goals in the 16-11 victory. Senior attackman Joe Ciringione (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) played an incredible game, finishing with four goals and six assists, while sophomore attackman Colin Price (Fairfax Station, Va./Lake Braddock) finished with three goals and three assists.
After getting on the board first, the Sailfish (11-5) never looked back. The efforts of Ciringione and fellow attackman Bobby Hantske (Annapolis, Md./Southern) put PBA up 2-0. They were aided by several man-up opportunities, without themselves going man down until midway into the third quarter. Despite going 50% on EMO, the story of the game early was missed Sailfish opportunities; the ‘Fish registered 29 shots on goal, dominating the flow of the game, but only netted six. Palm Beach Atlantic led 6-2 at halftime.
Defensively, PBA gave the Hurricanes fits for most of the game, led by defenseman Justin Shockley (Simpsonville, S.C./Hillcrest). Branden Bernstein (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens) and Chris Bing (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) also were stout at close defense, while Ryan Talks (Palm Beach, Fla./St. Andrew’s) finished with 13 saves.
In the third, Palm Beach Atlantic continued to find the net, scoring four consecutive goals to expand the lead to 10-2. Among the initiators were Dave Schultz (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary’s), who finished with three goals, ten ground balls, and seven face-off wins. Senior Jesse Vanatta (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) also had two goals.
After allowing two Miami goals, PBA regained the eight goal margin in the fourth, with goals from freshman Dan Barry (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whitesboro) and Vanatta. In the closing minutes, the ‘Canes added several goals, contributing to the 16-11 final margin.
The Sailfish return to action this Friday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. for the quarterfinal round of the SELC Tournament against No. 19 Kennesaw State (6-4). The game will be played at Alpharetta HS (3595 Webb Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30005). If the Sailfish win on Friday night, they will advance to the semifinal round at 2:45 p.m. at Northview HS. The finals are also at Northview (Sunday, 12 p.m.). Follow Palm Beach Atlantic men’s lacrosse on Twitter (@PBALacrosse) for live-score updates of all PBA tournament games this weekend.
Game Notes:
–With the 16-11 victory, Palm Beach Atlantic notched its’ first-ever win against the Miami Hurricanes. UM now leads the series 6-1, all-time. The ‘Canes won the last meeting (2010), a 9-6 win in driving rain at Palm Beach Atlantic.
–The Sailfish are currently ranked No. 25 overall in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse MCLA Coaches Poll this week. The Sailfish are currently ranked No. 19 in the LaxPower MCLA Division II Computer Ratings.
–Palm Beach Atlantic improves to 11-5 with the win, continuing to set a team record for most wins in program history. The previous high was eight (2009, 2011).
–Senior attackman Joe Ciringione leads all Sailfish in points scored with eighty-nine (89). Sophomore attackman Colin Price leads in goals scored with forty-eight (48).
–Palm Beach Atlantic finished 26/28 on clears (92.9%).
–Palm Beach Atlantic finished 11/31 on face-offs (35.5%).
