Men's Lacrosse Plays Host To Ohio State Saturday

Quinnipiac University Bobcats (4-1, 1-1 ECAC) vs.
Ohio State University Buckeyes (4-4, 0-1 ECAC)
Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 12 p.m.
Quinnipiac Field Hockey & Lacrosse Turf Field - Hamden, Conn.

Bobcats Play Host To ECAC Lacrosse Foe Ohio State Saturday
The Quinnipiac University men's lacrosse team returns to ECAC Lacrosse action Saturday, when it plays host to Ohio State at the Quinnipiac Field Hockey & Lacrosse Turf Field. The Bobcats have won their last four games, including an ECAC Lacrosse victory this past Saturday at Hobart. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes fell in their ECAC opener, Tuesday night at Fairfield. Ohio State defeated Quinnipiac, 8-2, March 28, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.

Scouting the Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes (4-4, 0-1 ECAC Lacrosse) are led by Logan Schuss, whose 24 points and 11 assists are both team highs. James Green has scored a team-high 14 goals, while Mario Ventiquattro and Jeff Tundo have contributed 11 goals apiece. Trey Wilkes has taken the majority of the face-offs for the Buckeyes and has compiled a .457 winning percentage. Goalie Brandon Freeman has scooped up a team-high 24 ground balls, while maintaining an 8.95 goals-against average and a .572 save percentage.

Benz, But Don't Break
Senior goalie Kevin Benzing has been his typical steady self in net for the Bobcats this season, maintaining a 6.66 goals-against average and a .674 save percentage while posting a 4-1 record. His save percentage ranks first nationally, while his goals-against average is third in the NCAA. Benzing stood on his head at Hobart, making a career-high 21 saves on 28 opportunities.

A-Pall-ing Performance
Zach Pall has won 41-of-60 (.683) face-off opportunities this season, good for the best face-off winning percentage in the nation. He also leads NCAA Division I in ground balls per game at 9.25. He won 12-of-18 face-offs at Detroit-Mercy, and picked up a career-high 13 ground balls in the process. Pall also won all seven of his face-off opportunities against Wagner, went 10-of-16 against Providence and 12-of-19 at Hobart.

...Kind of a Big Deal
The Bobcats rank in the top 10 in the nation in eight of 14 statistical categories kept by the NCAA. They rank second in scoring defense (6.2) and face-off win percentage (.620), third in scoring margin (+5.6) and caused turnovers per game (11.8), fifth in man-down defense (.793), seventh in saves per game (12.8), and eighth in win percentage (0.8) and ground balls per game (36.0).

Simply the Best
For his 21-save effort at Hobart on March 20, Kevin Benzing was named the ECAC Lacrosse and Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week. The 21 saves were the most in the nation in a single game during that week, and a career high for the senior goalie.

Oppenheimer Goals: The Right Way To Score
With 10 goals this season, Jack Oppenheimer leads the Bobcats. Oppenheimer led the Bobcats in both points (26) and goals (20) in 2009.

Marotto Makes His Mark
Alex Marotto scored three goals, all in the decisive second half, March 20 at Hobart. Marotto tied the game at 4-4, before later adding insurance goals to push the Bobcats' lead to 7-4 and 9-7.

New Addition
Junior transfer Christian Haggerty had a team-high six points (two goals, four assists) in the Bobcats' 12-2 win over Providence, March 13. For his effort, he was named the ECAC Lacrosse Co-Player of the Week. Haggerty leads the Bobcats with eight assists and 16 points.

Three For All
Christian Haggerty, Peter McNichols and Jack Oppenheimer each contributed three goals and an assist in the Bobcats' 13-8 victory, March 7 at Detroit-Mercy.

Saving Face
The Bobcats won 22-of-26 face-off opportunities against Wagner. Zach Pall led the way, going a perfect 7-for-7, while Derek Flynn (8-for-10) and Jay Binkowski (7-for-9) were also extremely efficient.

Kaiser Connects
Todd Kaiser led the Bobcats with a goal and an assist in Quinnipiac's season opener against No. 10 Loyola, Feb. 27.

Benzing Sends Back 16 Shots
Kevin Benzing did all he could to keep the Bobcats in the game, Feb. 27, against nationally-ranked No. 10 Loyola. Benzing stopped 16 of the 27 shots he faced on the day.

30 'Cats Back
The Bobcats returned 30 of 35 letter winners from 2009, including the team's top eight goal scorers. Junior Jack Oppenheimer scored a team-high 20 goals last season, while classmate Kevin Kelly was close behind with 17. Senior Ted Dimond also contributed double-digit goals with 12. Seniors Todd Kaiser (7), Garett Kerr (7), Alex DeAlmeida (5), Mike Gast (5), and Zach Dendas (5) all return for the Bobcats' offense.

On Deck
The Bobcats return to action Saturday, April 3, when they travel to West Hartford, Conn., to face the University of Hartford. Opening face-off from Yousuf Al-Marzook Athletic Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.