The University of Richmond men’s lacrosse team defeated the University of Massachusetts 13-12 at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium April 8.
The Spiders came into the game following a close loss on the road against Saint Joseph’s University, 14-12 April 1. The Minutemen were on a two-game winning streak, having defeated Brown University and High Point University.
The game between the Spiders and Minutemen was the first time the two programs faced each other. Now that both teams are part of the newly established Atlantic 10 Men’s Lacrosse Conference, they will play annually.
The Minutemen quickly got a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. The Spiders had to play with a man down early due to an illegal cross-check from senior midfielder Joe Gooley. Fortunately, the Spiders took an 8-6 lead heading into halftime behind contributions from senior attacker Dalton Young and junior attacker Luke Grayum. Swift ball movement and face-off wins were critical aspects of the game that gave the Spiders numerous scoring opportunities.
The Spiders held on to a two-point lead until late into the fourth quarter when the Minutemen scored three unanswered goals. However, the Spiders forced a turnover with only seconds left, running out the clock.
Grayum and first-year midfielder Joe Sheridan led the Spiders with three goals a piece. Besides scoring two goals, Young assisted on five to lead the Spiders in assists.
UR’s ninth-year head coach Dan Chemotti reflected on the conference victory after the game.
“Every game in conference, I don’t care what your schedule is, or record is, or your last results, it’s going to be a battle,” Chemotti said. “So that’s exactly what today was. But I just respected how UMass played and how they approached the game.”
Young also spoke on the season and what it took to succeed against a talented Minutemen team.
“The offense has been working every single week, and it’s been a grind, it really has,” Young said. “But it’s been really fun. It’s not the end goal; it’s the process. And it’s been a fun process.”
The Spiders look to get their second conference win at Robins Stadium at 5 p.m. April 15 when they face the High Point University Panthers.
Contact sports writer Jimmy Conley at james.conley@richmond.edu.
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