The Rangers men’s lacrosse team secured a decisive victory against Marywood University with a final score of 11-3.
Being the second game of the 2025 season, the Rangers were ready for redemption from their nail-biter 14-15 loss Feb. 19 against Neumann. The Rangers jumped out to an impressive start with goals from Luke Bruther (‘25) and Tommy Larmore (C’24, G’25), vaulting them to a 2-0 lead just minutes after the opening faceoff. With seconds left in the first quarter, the shot clock and scoreboard went dark.
The whole campus lost power due to an outage in the Borough of Madison. After a moment of discussion between the coaches and the referees, the game was put on hold for 30 minutes in order to decide how to proceed; or if the game could continue at all.
Shortly after the time elapsed, the teams resumed play and the Rangers’ lead increased. A Marywood goal seconds into the second quarter was answered by Mike DeMayo (‘25), who posted a total of three goals. Riley Zeer (‘26) followed with a score of his own shortly after.
Nearing the half, Marywood picked up speed and sank two goals, but were quickly followed by two Ranger goals by Joseph Carabetta (‘28) and Colin Diodato (‘26). DaMayo, Joey Larmore (‘25) and Zeer added goals in the third quarter, with Zeer closing it out 11-3 with six minutes remaining.
The Rangers’ ability to dominate the scoreboard throughout the entirety of the game was a testament to the skill possessed by each player and the teamwork on the field. Helping to keep the team ahead on the scoreboard was goalkeeper Joe Barnish (‘27), who spent all 60 minutes in the goal.
Only allowing three goals to reach the back of the net, Barnish made 15 saves out of the 26 shots faced. The sophomore was a steady presence to preserve the momentum for the Rangers as he continually refused to let Marywood back into the game.
Led by head coach Dan Leidl (C’97), this team’s redemption from a close loss in their season opener shows that the 2025 lacrosse season holds promise.
The Rangers head on the road against Albright College on March 1 and United States Merchant Marine Academy on March 8, but will be back in Ranger Stadium on March 14 for the Leanos Cup.
The Leanos Cup is hosted annually by the Rangers to pay homage to the former head coach, Tom Leanos, who coached the men’s lacrosse team from 1988 until 2017. A decorated coach who led the team to many postseason appearances, he unfortunately passed away this month. Be sure to come out to Ranger Stadium March 14 and March 16 to watch the Leanos Cup, and help the men’s lacrosse team honor someone whose impact on the players and the program transcends sports.
Gillian Sampson is a graduate student pursuing her masters in education.
