Big Second Quarter Lifts Bulldogs Past BU
Updated: Apr 19
Yale outscores the Terriers 7-1 in the second quarter on its way to 17-14 victory
Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | 4/4/2023 7:18:00 PM | Tim Bennett
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It was a big day for the Yale offense Tuesday at Reese Stadium. And it was familiar names that led the way. The Bulldogs' top four goal scorers all made significant contributions in a much-needed 17-14 victory over Boston University on a picture-perfect spring afternoon.
Leo Johnson had four goals, while Matt Brandau, Chris Lyons and Thomas Bragg each scored three times. Brandau and Lyons also added three assists apiece as Yale snapped a three-game losing streak.
"I'm happy to win," said Andy Shay, the Forst Family Head Coach of the Bulldogs. "Our kids have been working hard, and I'm proud of how they've stuck with it. BU is a difficult opponent, and I have a lot of respect for their program. Their defense is very unique."
It was a big second quarter for the Bulldogs that turned the game. The score was tied at 3-3 after 15 minutes, but Yale outscored BU 7-1 and had a 10-4 halftime lead.
Jack Monfort got the Bulldogs going with the first of his two goals just 50 seconds into the period. After Lyons scored, Monfort struck again to make it 6-3, and Max Krevsky capped a 4-0 run with the first of his two goals.
BU's Vince D'Alto scored with 3:34 left, but Yale answered in an emphatic way, scoring three quick goals to take command. Lyons had the first with 2:45 left. Machado Rodriguez then won the ensuing faceoff, raced down field and found Johnson, who scored with 2:38 left. Lyons capped the outburst with another goal just 10 seconds later.
The Terriers, who are coached by former Yale assistant Ryan Polley and have been nationally ranked for much of the season, closed to within 11-7 midway through the third quarter and trailed by five, 13-8, after three.
The teams traded goals early in the fourth, but the Bulldogs put the game away with another quick onslaught, scoring three goals less than a minute apart, to push the advantage to 17-9.
BU scored the game's final five goals, the last one coming with just six seconds remaining.
Yale (4-4) finished with a 50-48 edge in shots. Nicholas Ramsey (18-of-28) and Rodriguez (4-of-4) combined to win 22 of 32 faceoffs for the Bulldogs.
Jack Stuzin helped lead a strong defensive effort with three caused turnovers and four ground balls.
D'Alto scored six goals to pace Boston University (7-3).
It was another day of milestones for Brandau, who is now second in school history with 136 career goals, tied for sixth with 89 career assists and second in career points with 225.
The victory was a strong start to a three-game homestand for the Bulldogs, who host Dartmouth on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Brown next Saturday, Apr. 15, at noon.