PITTSBURGH, PA – The Medaille College Men's Lacrosse team traveled to La Roche College on Friday afternoon, in search of their first win of the 2018 season. The Mavs found exactly what they were looking for, riding a quick start all the way to a 16-11 victory in Pittsburgh.

Medaille came out of the gates quickly, jumping all over the Redhawks. Junior Tyler Fales (Batavia, NY, Batavia) opened the scoring less than one minute into the first quarter. Sophomore Shawn Barbalato (Williamsville, NY, Williamsville South) earned his first tally of the season just over a minute later off a feed from Fales to put the Mavs up 2-0 and the race was on.

After La Roche cut the lead in half, junior Jake Rush (Hamburg, NY, Frontier) helped the Mavericks regain their two goal lead then assisted on Fales' second of the game to put Medaille up 4-1. The Redhawks once again cut the Mavs lead in half but Medaille didn't let that get in the way of their offense, ripping three straight goals from Barbalato and Fales to take a commanding 7-2 lead early in the second quarter.

Two more goals from Baralato and Rush before the half increased Medaille's lead to 9-3 at the break, earning Medaille their first halftime lead of the 2018 campaign.

Medaille's offense rolled right into the second half, this time met with some offense from La Roche as the game turned into a shootout. Five of the first eight goals of the final half went the Mavericks way, and while the Redhawks netted five of the games last seven goals it wasn't enough as Medaille held on for the 16-11 win.

Fales and Barbalato both scored six goals, while Rush finished with four of his own. Rush and Fales also each dished out four assists with Barbalato (2), David Cloy (Wilson, NY, Wilson) (1), and Matthew Gabalski (Elma, NY, St. Francis) (1) each adding at least one assist as well.

Eight different Mavericks picked up at least one ground ball with Rush scooping up an incredible 17 himself.

"Huge Boost having Shawn [Barbalato] back in the lineup," explained Head Coach Dan Patrone. "[Jake] Rush was outstanding on face-offs, scooping up 17 groundballs all over the field."

"[Tyler] Fales was outstanding running the offense and gaining offensive possessions," added Coach Patrone. "Justin Weiskerger (Hamburg, NY, Hamburg) and Michael O'Farrell-McGeary (Drogheda, Ireland, St Mary's Diocesean) also played outstanding between the lines."

With the win Medaille improves to 1-3 overall as they now turn their attention to the Wolves of Keuka College, hosting their NEAC rival on Wednesday, April 4 at Nichols School.