HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University junior attackman Ethan Irizarry recorded his 100th career point in a tough 16-7 loss to No. 12 Queens (N.C.) on Saturday night (Mar. 7) in South Atlantic Conference action.
The Royals took a 2-0 lead through two minutes and change, before Irizarry found the back of the net unassisted four minutes in to get the Cobras on the board. The goal was the 100th point of Irizarry's career, making him the second Cobra this week to hit the century mark with teammate Joe Venazio. Irizarry becomes the seventh player in program history to eclipse the 100-point mark. The Royals would score the final two goals of the first quarter to take a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes.
The Cobras won the second quarter 3-1, scoring three straight goals before the Royals tallied the final marker of the half. Matt Murphy scored unassisted with just under eight minutes to play, before scoring again 55 seconds later assisted by Irizarry. Venazio would score with two minutes left in the half unassisted to tie the game at four, before the Royals would tally the final goal of the half with 46 seconds left to take a 5-4 lead to the break.
The Royals would pull away in the third quarter, holding the Cobras off the scoreboard while finding the back of the net six times to take an 11-4 lead to the final quarter.
Queens would win the fourth quarter 5-3 to ultimately come away with the victory. The Royals scored the first two goals of the quarter in the first two minutes, before Irizarry scored back-to-back unassisted goals for Coker to get the Cobras back within seven. A run of three straight goals from the Royals would put the game on ice, before Murphy scored late from Emmanuel Adjaye to net one final marker for Coker.
Irizarry and Murphy netted hat tricks in the game, while Venazio also scored one goal in the game. Irizarry and Adjaye dished out assists in the game. Coker totaled 22 ground balls, led by four each from Irizarry and Jason McNeany. Six different Cobras collected two ground balls each, while James Brugger and Dezmon Patten each picked up one. Coker caused eight turnovers on the night, with two from Irizarry and one each from six other Cobras. McNeany also won six faceoffs on the night. Chris Hagy (6-2) took the loss between the pipes, making nine saves. Chris Priolo also saw action late in the second half.
The Cobras (6-2, 0-1 SAC) return to action on Saturday (Mar. 14) when they travel to Mars Hill for a South Atlantic Conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.
McDonald's Player of the Game - Ethan Irizarry