ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Union's record-setting season came to an end Wednesday with an 11-6 loss to top-ranked RIT in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals played at Tiger Stadium.
The ninth-ranked Dutchmen (15-4) finish with a school-record 15 wins after advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons. Â RIT (20-0) set a program record with its 20th win while extending its home winning streak to 30 games. Â RIT hosts Tufts in the NCAA Semifinals on Sunday.
RIT opened a 5-0 lead after the first quarter, and built a 7-0 lead before Union could get on the scoreboard. Â Union was held scoreless for the first 21:11, the team's longest scoreless streak to start a game this season. Â
Jon Andrews finally broke through for the "U" at 8:49 of the second quarter. Â
Charlie Ross followed at 5:39 as RIT took an 8-2 lead into halftime.
Union outscored RIT, 4-3, in the second half, and held the Tigers off the board in the fourth quarter. Â The Dutchmen, however, couldn't draw any closer than five goals, as RIT goalkeeper Pat Johnston made 24 saves, the most by a Union opponent this season.
Six different players scored for the Dutchmen, who had two goals disqualified. Â
Richard Gregory added two assists and freshman
Peter Richardson provided a goal and assist as the team's top point producers.
The Tigers were led by Casey Jackson (two goals, assist), Kyle Aquin (two goals, assist), Jack Krzyston (two goals) and Eddie Kiesa (two goals).
RIT finished 3-0 against Union in 2014, posting a 13-11 win in the Liberty League Championshp (May 4) and an 8-7 regular season victory on April 16.
Today's contest marked the last appearance for nine Union seniors: Â
Jon Andrews,
Pat DeBenedetto,
Shawn Joyce,
Kyle McQuiggan,
Stephen Melia,
Greg Mooney,
Tanner Jones,
Jake Quinn and
Rob Santangelo. Â Along with fellow classmates (who did not dress)
Brady Collins,
Devyn Jeffereis,
Dylan Tripodi and
Nate Greenberg -- the Union senior class compiled a 49-21 record over four years, the best mark in school history.
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