Defense continues to shine as MCC rolls Mercyhurst

ROCHESTER - The MCC men's lacrosse team ran its winning streak to seven games with a 17-1 win over Mercyhurst North East Wednesday afternoon.

A strong defense was again the key for the seventh-ranked Tribunes (7-1), who have allowed an average of just 2.7 goals per game over the streak. Monroe pestered the Saints into 34 turnovers Wednesday, turning those miscues into scoring opportunities for its potent attack.

Goalie Mark Campbell stopped six shots for MCC. Mercyhurst's lone score came on a man-up opportunity with 4:07 remaining in the game and the outcome long decided. Austin Foe forced four Saint turnovers, while Adam Witscheber and Trevor Knoepfler caused three apiece.

TJ Day had a pair of goals and assisted on another as the Tribunes opened a 4-0 lead after 15 minutes of play.  Zack DeFazio then did the same in the second quarter, helping Monroe to a 9-0 lead at the break.

DeFazio scored again in the third and assisted on a pair of Nick Kallio goals as MCC extended the lead to 13-0 after three quarters. Monroe then tacked on four more in the fourth to put it away.

DeFazio finished with five goals and three assists to pace Monroe. Day had four goals and three assists while Kallio also scored four times.  Reed Perestam and Patrick Brewer added two goals apiece.

Brandon Barnhart dished out three assists.