Men’s lacrosse wins home opener against Bucknell

The University of Richmond men’s lacrosse team defeated Bucknell 18-5 this Saturday at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium. 

The Spiders improved their record to 1-1 and bounced back after a tough loss to the reigning NCAA champions, the University of Maryland Terrapins, last week.

Junior attackman Luke Grayum led the Spiders’ offense with eight points, scoring four goals and adding four assists. Graduate midfielder and attackman Derrek Madonna was another key contributor, with four goals and two assists. Overall, the Spider's offense compiled 18 goals, their most since last April against Mercer. 

“We learned some lessons during the game,” head coach Dan Chemotti said. “As soon as we started playing an unselfish brand of lacrosse, good things started happening.” 

Redshirt sophomore goalie Zach Vigue led the Spider’s defense with 10 saves and a 67% save percentage, holding Bucknell’s score to only 5. Graduate defender Jake Saunders, junior defender Jack Fabean and sophomore defender Anthony Romano helped limit the Bucknell offense through caused turnovers and fundamental defense. Senior midfielder Joe Gooley and junior midfielder Jeff Nugent helped the defensive effort with their solid performances at the midfield. 

The first quarter was competitive and physical, with flags for hits on both teams. Bucknell was the first to score three minutes into the game. Richmond responded quickly when Grayum put in his first of the day thanks to good ball movement off a backside dodge from senior attackman Dalton Young. Derrek Madonna scored at 3:00 in the 1st quarter off an assist from his brother, junior midfielder Lance Madonna. After one quarter, the Spiders led 2-1.  

Bucknell tied things up early in the second quarter with an extra man opportunity goal. Richmond responded with their own extra man goal shortly after courtesy of Grayum and didn’t look back. Grayum scored again off a transition play and two minutes later Young bounced a shot in goal. Madonna scored off a skip pass from Grayum and Sophomore faceoff specialist Jared Chenoy got the home crowd on their feet after delivering a huge hit near midfield. First-year midfielder Joe Sheridan and sophomore attackman Max Merklinger each scored a goal. Junior midfielder Will Tazewell added the final goal of the half following a well-executed clear and good ball movement by the Spiders. Richmond held a commanding 9-2 lead going into the half. 

The Spiders furthered their lead in the third quarter when Derrek Madonna scored his third of the day. Bucknell broke their scoring drought at 10:03. First-year attackman Aidan O’Neil left his defender behind the cage with a rocker step and scored unassisted at 8:21. Sophomore midfielder Henry Alpaugh sent a rocket on a man-up play at 5:14 in the third quarter. Lance Madonna scored a minute later and his brother capped the day off with another goal before the end of the third. 

The Spiders continued to control the game in the final quarter, outscoring Bucknell 4-1, with the Bisons’ sole goal coming in the final second. Sophomore attackman Lukas Olsson was the only new scorer for the Spiders, scoring midway through the quarter after weaving through the defense.  

The Spiders will next play Towson on Friday, Feb. 24 at Robins Stadium. 

Contact sports writer Stuart Schaenen at stuart.schaenen@richmond.edu.