FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. (March 20, 2016) – Colorado State University-Pueblo men's lacrosse earned their first win in program history Monday when they beat Emmanuel College 16-12. The Pack's first ever win in men's lacrosse came in impressive fashion as they rallied from a 6-2 deficit to score a program record 16 goals and enter the winners circle for the first time.
"To get win number one is a culmination of the effort put in by our coaches, training staff and most importantly the student athletes," said Head Men's Lacrosse Coach, Sean Blair. "I'm proud of their efforts so far and look forward to the continuation of building our program."
Senior Jamil Modaffari (Penn Yan, N.Y.) was one of the student athletes that led the Pack to victory. Modaffari scored four goals including the 13th goal that would be the game winner. Modaffari also caused a turnover and grabbed a ground ball.
Cody Bolen (So., Castle Rock, Colo.) also netted four goals for the Pack. Bolen's four goals marked a career high. Bolen collected two ground balls in the win.
Ethan Wall (Fr., Olathe, Kan.) led the Pack with three assists and five points. Wall's five-point outing also was a career high as he doubled his season point total.
The Pack ousthot the Lions 51-33. CSU-Pueblo caused 16 Emmanuel turnovers, as the Lions gave it away 27 times. The 51 shots and 16 caused turnovers both set new school records for the Pack.
"It feels great to finally break through and get win number one, "Blair said. "We've been competitive in games against good competition this year and have proved we can run with solid programs."
CSU-Pueblo fell behind early as the Lions put the first three goals on the board. The Lions kept the Pack scoreless for the first 11 minutes.
Bolen broke through with the Pack's first goal with 3:36 left in the first. Wall scored with 53 seconds left as the Pack trailed by one after the first 15 minutes.
Much like they did in the first, the Lions launched in the first three goals of the second quarter, putting the Pack in a 6-2 hole. However, CSU-Pueblo would fight back with four straight goals to tie the game at six. Modaffari scored two goals for the Pack in this run. Weston Bartgis (Fr., El Cajon, Calif.) and Nick Matzek (R-So., Tustin, Calif.) netted the other two goals as the Pack forced a tie.
After Emmanuel got another goal, the Pack would tie it up again. Bolen fired in his second of the day to knot it up at 7.
With 39 seconds left in the second quarter, Wall ripped in a shot as he gave the Pack an 8-7 lead. The Pack would carry this lead into halftime.
Coming out of intermission, the Pack got the first two goals. Bolen found the back of the net again. Kelton Himmelberg (Jr., Centennial, Colo.) pocketed the other Pack goal as CSU-Pueblo claimed a 10-7 lead.
Following a Lions strike, the Pack put in two more. Caleb Johnson (So., Castle Rock, Colo.) and Himmelberg lit the lamp to make it a 12-8 lead with four minutes left in the third.
The Lions would not go away easily. Emmanuel scored two more goals to trim the Pack's to 12-10 entering the final quarter of play.
Just 15 minutes away from their first win, the Pack would not be denied. Modaffari and Matzek potted the first two goals of the final frame to put the Pack back in front by four.
A man-up opportunity allowed the Lions to close within three. However, the Pack responded once again. Wall and Modaffari rocketed shots into the back of the net to lead the Pack to a 16-12 victory, their first the school's 15-game, two-season history.
Blair Berg (Sr., Farmington, Minn.) led the Pack with three caused turnovers. Fellow senior, Tanner Hall (Gilbert Ariz.) snagged a team-high three ground balls.
The Pack will look for win number two on Thursday as they continue their four-game Spring Break road trip with a visit to Shorter University. CSU-Pueblo will battle the Hawks at 5 p.m. MST
"We're looking forward to our other games over break and hope to remain focused and compete at a high level," Blair said.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics
