Clarkson pulls away, tops Bard

John Palermo scored three goals in Bard's loss to Clarkson on Saturday. Photo is courtesy of Bard College.

POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Clarkson University men's lacrosse team broke open a close game with six straight goals in the third quarter, and went on to defeat Bard College, 16-8, in a Liberty League contest on Saturday.

Bard led early on a pair of goals by Blake Burnley and Emmet O'Connell, but Clarkson tied it by the end of the first quarter.

Bard was up 3-2 and 4-3 in the second quarter, but four straight goals by Clarkson - including two
seven seconds apart in the final minute - gave the Golden Knights a 7-4 halftime lead.

Burnley scored again less than two minutes into the third quarter to make it 7-5, but Clarkson took control with six straight goals and put the game away. It was 13-6 after three quarters.

The hosts outshot Bard 53-22, went 12-for-12 on clears and collected 36 ground balls to Bard's 17.

Sophomore Sam Groves (Milton, NY) led Clarkson with four goals and an assist.

John Palermo scored three goals for Bard. O'Connell and Burnley scored twice apiece, and Thomas Kelly had a goal and an assist. Troy Ludtka made 15 saves.

Bard (4-8, 0-4 Liberty League) will next host Union on Apr. 23. It'll be Senior Day for Sam Funnell, and also the last game in the career of junior Brad Whitaker, who will be attending Dartmouth as part of Bard's 3-2 Engineering program.