Men's Lacrosse Defeats Holy Cross, 10-9

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College Friars opened the season with a 10-9 win against Holy Cross in men's lacrosse action on Wednesday, March 1 at Providence, R.I. Friar junior Jeff Merklinger led the squad with three goals.

The Friars led 5-2 at halftime on goals by senior Ken Leahy, sophomore Chris Houston (two goals) and Merklinger (two goals). However, the Crusaders outscored the Friars 4-1 in the third quarter to even the game at 6-6 after 45 minutes of action.

The two teams battled in the fourth quarter before junior John Price scored Holy Cross' ninth goal with 2:27 remaining in the game. The Friars evened the game on a goal by sophomore John McCullough with 1:48 remaining before senior Ken Leahy fired in the game winner with 1:01 remaining in the contest.

Sophomore James Groom had three goals for Holy Cross and junior Rich Santoro had a game-high five assists for the Crusaders.

Senior netminder Brian McCarthy recorded 11 saves in the victory for PC. Senior John Lilly had 15 stops for the Crusaders.

With the win, Providence improved to 1-0, while Holy Cross fell to 0-1.

The Friars will return to action on Saturday, March 4 against Wagner at Fairfield, Conn. at 3:00 p.m.

at PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Holy Cross (0-1)        1   1   4   3   - 9
Providence (1-0)        2   3   1   4   - 10


Holy Cross goals:  James Groom 3, John Price 2, Steve Ribaudo, Matt Elliott, Greg Nuefeld, Rob Hotarek
Holy Cross assists: Rich Santoro 5, Steve Ribaudo, Rob Hotarek

Providence goals:  Jeff Merklinger 3, Jim Dooley 2, Ken Leahy 2, Chris Houston 2, John McCullough
Providence assists:  Ken Leahy 2, Skip Dunphy 2, Chris Houston

Saves:  Holy Cross,  John Lilly 4-3-4-4 -- 15
Providence, Brian McCarthy 2-4-1-4 -- 11

Shots:  Holy Cross 34: Providence 33
Ground Balls:  Holy Cross 36: Providence 35

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at RV/#19 Fairfield on March 1, 2025 , Loss , 7, to, 15

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Loyola (Md.) on March 8, 2025 , Win , 12, to, 11

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #6/#8 Duke on March 12, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 16

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #18/#19 Saint Joseph's on March 22, 2025 , Loss , 8, to, 16

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #17/#15 Georgetown on March 29, 2025 , Loss , 13, to, 14

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Villanova on April 5, 2025 , Loss , 8, to, 11

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Marquette on April 12, 2025 , Win , 14, to, 2

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse at #16/#16 Denver on April 19, 2025 , Win , 10, to, 6

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus St. John's on April 25, 2025 , Win , 16, to, 10

Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus No. 2 Villanova on May 1, 2025 , Loss , 14, to, 16

Providence College Athletics

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