MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – Marquette scored the victory in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon, 9-5, as the St. Bonaventure men's lacrosse team wrapped up non-conference play.
Jake Rosa tallied his 12th career hat trick to spark the Bonnies, scoring three of the team's five goals on the day.
Marquette (5-3), fresh off a win over No. 5 Penn State last weekend, started the scoring six minutes in on a goal by Zach Granger. That would be the first of four goals in the opening 15 minutes as the Golden Eagles, members of the Big East, took a 4-0 lead.
St. Bonaventure (1-8) got on the board after a long scoring drought, closing within 4-1 as the Bonnies' first goal of the day came off the stick of Sean Westley five minutes into the second quarter.
The Golden Eagles would run off the next three scores, however, for a commanding 7-1 edge with 6:12 remaining in the third as goals remained at a premium.
Kyle Pepper and Rosa each scored late in the third to give the Bonnies a chance, down four heading for the final 15.
Marquette effectively put the game on ice as Bobby O'Grady, last year's Big East Freshman of the Year, scored twice to begin the fourth as the hosts pulled away by six once more.
Rosa scored the final two goals of the game – striking with 8:13 remaining – but the final goal would not come until just 27 seconds left and the game decided.
Bonnies goalie Cristofero Cucciuffo played a solid game in the cage, making 13 saves. The Bonnies penalty kill was also strong, holding Marquette to 1-for-6 in man-up opportunities.
Freshman Quinn Nolan won nine faceoffs and recorded eight groundballs as well. Nick Porfilio, returning to his hometown of Milwaukee, had a caused turnover on the defensive end for the Brown and White.
O'Grady scored four times to power the Golden Eagles while Michael Allieri made 10 saves to earn the win.
St. Bonaventure now turns its attention to Atlantic 10 play and will get set for the first A-10 game in program history next Saturday at Hobart. Game time is scheduled for noon in Geneva, N.Y.
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