Mechanics Will Play for the NCLL Liberty Division Title

Playing their first home play-off game in over ten years, the Williamson lacrosse team was all business during Friday night's NCLL Liberty division semi-final play-off game, as the dominated both sides of the ball in an impressive 10-4 victory over Drexel University.  The win puts the Mechanics into tomorrow's championship game against West Chester.  The Golden Rams will host the game in an 11:00 A.M. start.

Williamson once again started slow on offense in the first quarter, before blowing the game wide-open the second quarter.  Matt Dickenson scored two first quarter goals to give the Mechanics a 2-1 lead at the end of the quarter.   He then took the game over, scoring four straight goals, three in the second quarter and one to open the third, to give Williamson a 6-1 lead.  Shane Titus then added two third quarter goals, while Matt Gallagher added one to put the game out or reach at 9-2 heading into the final stanza. 

While the offense was controlling things on their end, the Williamson defense once again was impressive.  In addition to the usual outstanding play by goalie Jack Welsh and defenders Connor Smith, Chris Meiklejohn and Nick DelVecchio, Jack Behrle also had a monster game to shut down the Dragons and keep their hopes at getting back into the game at bay.

The win extends Williamson's school record winning streak to eight games and sets up a rematch from their season opening game against West Chester, a game the Mechanics lost, 8-5.  Williamson trailed by one goal late before letting up two late game goals in dropping their opener.  This however, is a vastly different Williamson team than it was two months ago.

"Our team is resilient.  If you try to stop one player, another one steps up.  In our game against TCNJ, Konnor (Oreskovich) had the hot hand.  Tonight, it was Matt Dickinson and when they tried to stop him, Shane Titus stepped up and added a hat trick," shared Williamson head coach Jim DeRose.  "That is the beauty of our team this year.  They are a true team."

A win against the host Golden Rams would vault them into next week's NCLL Division II Final Four, a spot Williamson has not been in since they last played for the NCLL national championship in 2005.  According to DeRose, the team will be ready.

"Our guys have continued to improve.  As good as we are, we have yet to play our best game. Our guys will be looking to do just that tomorrow.  We could not be more proud of them."

 Goals:                                    Assists:                       Saves:

Matt Dickinson - 6                   Cooper Conroy - 2         Jack Welsh - 7

Shane Titus - 3

Matt Gallagher - 1