CU Men's Lacrosse Preview - at Skidmore College (4/29)

Ben Moeller

Men's Lacrosse | 4/28/2023 9:30:00 AM

There are enough playoff scenarios for the final handful of spots in the Liberty League Tournament to make a person's head figuratively spin, but one fact is easy for the Clarkson University Men's Lacrosse team: win and you're in. The Golden Knights hit the road to find out their playoff fate this weekend as the team travels to take on another playoff hopeful, Skidmore College.

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The Series: The Golden Knights are 17-11 all-time against Skidmore, having won seven straight contests over the Thoroughbreds. Matthew Hansen was a key part of the win a year ago, winning 16 of his 24 faceoff attempts with nine groundballs.

Key Stats for Clarkson (11-3, 3-3 Liberty League): With a victory on Saturday, the Golden Knights will clinch the three-seed, and one other situation puts the Green and Gold in the four spot, while a handful of other scenarios would leave Clarkson out. All season long the Knights have been dependent on their defense, which ranks 26th in the NCAA Division III in goals per game (8.71). Jacob Mattice is 16th nationally in goals against average (8.45) with a .554 save percentage in 766 minutes, and the Knights have started the same three defensemen all year in Matt Szwagulinski, Patrick Sanna, and Mason Volley. Clarkson has also been bolstered by the fine season of grad student Bryan Penney, who has produced 34 points with 30 goals, 30 groundballs, and 10 caused turnovers.

Key Stats for Skidmore (9-6, 2-4 Liberty League): The Thoroughbreds own the third-best scoring offense in the Liberty League at 13.40 goals per game, with Charlie McFadden and Brian Gonsalves tied for the team lead with 38 each. Jon Bouvier also has scored 28 times to go along with 11 assists for 39 points. Jack Fitzpatrick has won a respectable 54.5% of his faceoff attempts, and he usually gets them clean with 83 groundballs. Paul Heffernan and Matthew McFadden each rank in the top 15 in the conference in caused turnovers, and Colin Kuester has a 10.75 goals against average with a .565 save percentage and 192 saves, the most stops in the league.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Matthew Hansen: M; 5' 8"; Junior

#21 Bryan Penney: M; 5' 11"; Senior

#13 Patrick Sanna: D; 6' 2"; Junior

#19 Matt Szwagulinski: D; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#11 Mason Volley: D; 6' 0"; Freshman

#23 Jacob Mattice: GK; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#30 Matthew Hansen
: 5' 8"; Junior
: M

#21 Bryan Penney
: 5' 11"; Senior
: M

#13 Patrick Sanna
: 6' 2"; Junior
: D

#19 Matt Szwagulinski
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: D

#11 Mason Volley
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: D

#23 Jacob Mattice
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: GK