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Adam Lenz

Men's Lacrosse Prepared for Tough Task at #8/10 Union College in NCAA Second Round

| By: Joe Ginley '16, SID
The Blue Streaks will need a complete team effort against the Dutchmen on Saturday. 
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - - Following a historic victory in the First Round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, the Blue Streaks are still dancing.

The Blue Streaks are set to play in the Second Round for the third time in program history. This time, the Blue Streaks will be just outside of Albany, New York.

Joe Rautenstrauch's men will be playing at No. 8/10 Union College on Saturday at 12 pm.

Tournament Central 

The Blue Streaks are fresh off an 11-3 victory over North Central College. After a slow start on offense, John Carroll got the boys going and captured a wonderful win at Don Shula Stadium. It was a great way to celebrate the first-ever NCAA tournament lacrosse game in Greater Cleveland. 

On Thursday, the good news kept coming for the Blue Streaks. A program-record 12 players garnered All-OAC recognition, including a record eight First Team selections. Kevin Hack became the program's fourth OAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Joe Rautenstrauch earned his first career OAC Coach of the Year award. 

After conquering the conference, the Blue Streaks have higher goals ahead. Standing in front of them is a difficult team with lots of history.

Union College will confront the Blue Streaks next. The Dutchmen have been playing lacrosse since 1924. Union is making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since the 2019 season. The Dutchmen are 7-5 all-time in the NCAAs, including a perfect 6-0 record at Frank Bailey Field, and have won at least one game in all five previous appearances. The Dutchmen have reached the quarterfinals twice, winning first- and second-round games in 2012 and 2014.

To this point in the season, Union has accrued a 14-2 record. The Dutchmen fell to #10 St. Lawrence in the Liberty League Tournament semifinal. RIT eventually won the Liberty League crown. 

Guided by third-year head coach Derek Witheford, the Dutchmen notched 10 wins against regionally ranked teams. Union bested five top 20 teams, including #3 Tufts on the road. The battle-tested Dutchmen are no strangers to the big stage.

Peter Burnes steers the Union offense. The senior became the first Dutchman in program history to earn Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year. The Natick, Massachusetts native has 45 goals and 20 assists on the year. 

Matthew Paolatto is a star on face-offs for the Dutchmen. The sophomore is amongst the nation's best at X, winning 141-of-200 draws this season for a .705 faceoff percentage. He earned First Team All-Liberty League for his excellence as a FOGO.

On defense, Matt Belluche is the team's anchor. The 6'2 senior has nice stats as a stout defender with 39 groundballs and 18 caused turnovers. Behind him, Dan Donahue is Union's starting netminder. The Weston, Mass. native has a .572 save percentage with a 9.53 GAA and 182 saves in 856 minutes. 

To beat this well-rounded squad, the Blue Streaks will need a complete game from the whole squad. But the good news is that on paper, John Carroll does not have any major glaring weaknesses. 

John Carroll's offense has garnered plenty of attention, with a wealth of scoring options. Matt Berdysiak is the team's top goal scorer. With a team-best and conference-best 72 goals, the 6'8 beast from Buffalo is a major threat on offense. Brendan Whitty is his primary dance partner with an OAC-leading 54 assists and 71 points on the year. As mentioned above, Hack is a balanced player who is the central cog of it all.

The midfield is also outstanding. Hack, Morgan Morrell, and Ian Flynn swept the First Team All-OAC honors on Thursday. Brendan Hein is a marvelous LSM, able to play whatever role JCU needs of him. 

On defense, Sam Rodgers and Conor Ryan form a dynamic top notch defense duo. The veteran pair rarely let opposing attackers pass through their reach unscathed. Robbie Robinson and Jake Caress are other key cogs, as Caress tabbed 5 caused turnovers on Wednesday. 

Behind the outstanding defense is a gutsy goalie in Jon Gaglio. The junior from Webster, New York is coming off of a career day with 15 saves in the First Round, and earned All-OAC First Team recognition. Beyond his brick wall mentality in cage, he's unafraid to leave the crease during clears. Gaglio even helped make some offense happen on Wednesday with a secondary (unofficial) assist on a goal. 

If the Blue Streaks play their game, this Second Round affair is winnable. But it will take a complete game to get the job done.

Live Stats and Live Video will be provided by Union. For traveling fans, tickets will be sold at the door. Single-day ticket prices are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12. 
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