Box Score

CANTON, N.Y. -- Top-seeded St. Lawrence used an eight-goal third quarter to pull away from No. 4 Rensselaer on Friday in the 2008 Liberty League semifinal match-up. The Saints, led by senior Ben Prime’s three goals, advanced to Sunday’s conference championship tilt with a 15-6 win over the Red Hawks at North Country Field. 

With the win, the Saints improve to 10-2 and host the Liberty League Championship for the third consecutive year on Sunday against third-seeded Union (2pm). The Red Hawks wrap up the 2008 season at 9-6.

Holding a 3-1 lead at halftime, which included a goal with 1:15 left in the first quarter by Prime, the Saints broke open the game in the third quarter, outscoring Rensselaer eight goals to two in the frame.

Tallies by senior attack Alex MacDiarmid (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and sophomore attack Devin Arnold (Buffalo, NY/Canisius) pulled RPI to within two (5-3) with 9:18 remaining in the third quarter, but the Saints rallied for six straight goals to lead 11-3 heading into the final quarter. 

St. Lawrence continued to press in the fourth quarter, scoring just 36 seconds into the frame on a goal by senior attack Kevin Russell (Madison, CT/Fairfield Prep).  Despite pulling to within nine (14-5) with 2:23 remaining on a goal by senior attack Tom O'Dwyer (Stony Brook, NY/Ward Melville), the Red Hawks were unable to stop the Saints offense. 

In addition to Prime, the Saints saw Russell finish with two goals and an assist.  Sophomore Will McKee (Old Greenwich, CT/Gunnery School) added a goal and a game-high three assists while junior goaltender Thomas Hollingsworth (Wilton, CT/Wilton) stopped six shots to pick up the victory.  Senior Frank Maguire (Darien, CT/Darien) made no saves in 3:53 of relief for SLU.  

For Rensselaer, Arnold finished with two goals and an assist.  MacDiarmid, O'Dwyer, junior Josh Secora (Evergreen, CO/Golden), sophomore Brett Evans (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) each scored while senior PJ McComb (Newington, CT/Newington) posted a team-high two assists. 

Junior netminder Ryan DeJordy (Albany, NY/Columbia) shouldered the loss, stopping six shots before giving way to freshman Angelo Luppino (Mount Kisco, NY/Fox Lane), who made one save in 7:52 minutes of relief.