MILLTOWN — Nine players scored for Saint Mark’s as the Spartans continued their 2024 boys lacrosse season March 22 with a 17-2 victory over Brandywine.
Saint Mark’s had three goals in the first period, starting with an early turnaround shot by David Astfalk. Christopher Messinger tied the game for the Bulldogs with 9:36 remaining, but that would be Brandywine’s only goal until the fourth quarter.
After Messinger’s goal, neither team could find the net for much of the rest of the first. Brandywine had a pair of man-up situations, and Saint Mark’s had one, but the defenses kept the score tied. Brandywine goalie Jack Mays was particularly effective, stopping a number of Spartans shots.
Finally, with 2:30 to go, Astfalk came out from behind the Bulldogs’ net and fired one in, and Chase Wisniewski hit from the top of the circle. Mays kept it 3-1 with a pair of huge saves in the final 10 seconds.
Saint Mark’s scored eight times in the second quarter to pull away. Alexander Salerni connected on a turnaround 40 seconds in, and Nathan Hughes hit on a bouncer. Hughes’ goal was the first of three in a 40-second span.
Wisniewski and Astfalk each scored three goals, while Salerni had two goals and three assists. Logan Gibbons stopped three shots in goal for the Spartans. Saint Mark’s (2-0) stays home on March 25 for a 4 p.m. tilt with Indian River.
No statistics were available Saturday morning for Brandywine, which tell to 0-2. The Bulldogs visit Delcastle on March 26 at 4 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
