Saints Set to Battle LeMoyne Dolphins in National Semifinal
National semifinal matches top two teams in rankings; Limestone is top offense, LeMoyne top defense
May 18, 2005

Courtesy Limestone College Sports Information Office

GAFFNEY, SC: On paper Saturday’s men’s lacrosse semifinal looks like a great matchup. The nation’s best offense will face the nation’s best defense. Add in Limestone’s 0-2 all time record against LeMoyne including last year’s double overtime heartbreaker in the national title game, and the fact that the two school’s have been ranked first and second in every poll this season, and then put a national title shot on the line, and it appears that Saturday’s contest could be a battle for the ages.

No other offense has come close to the numbers that the Saints have put up thus far in 2005. The same can be said of LeMoyne’s defense. Limestone is averaging 21.07 goals per game, nearly three goals better than Salisbury’s (Division III) 18.25. Meanwhile, LeMoyne has allowed a paltry 2.86 goals per game, besting Daniel Webster’s (Division III) 3.33. The Saints and Dolphins also rank first and third respectively in average margin of victory. Limestone has outscored its opponents by 14.47 goals per game while the Dolphins take an average margin of 10.71.

The 2005 Saints are looking to carve the Limestone name a little deeper into the record books. With a win on Saturday, the Saints would set the record for consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II National Final with six. They hope to ride their run and gun offense to that end.

Roger Vyse leads the Limestone offense. He currently leads the nation in points (6.2) and goals (4.33) per game. His 93 points and 65 goals are both school records for a single season. Add David Wooster, Bobby Woody, and Nolan Heavenor to the mix and Limestone has four players with over 60 points a piece. By contrast, LeMoyne’s leading scorer, Mike McDonald, has just 50 points on 33 goals and 17 assists. Limestone’s fab four all rank in the top 12 in the nation for points per game, and the team has already set Limestone’s single season record with 317 goals scored. To put it simply, the Saints’ attack is loaded.

LeMoyne is currently riding a 30 game winning streak. After running the table in 2004 with a 16-0 mark and a national title, the Dolphins have compiled a 14-0 record in 2005 and are just two wins shy of back-to-back championships.

Limestone fans will remember LeMoyne’s Brandon Spillett who lit the Saints up for seven goals in last year’s final (one shy of a championship game record) including the game tying goal with two seconds remaining in regulation and the game winner in the second overtime period. Spillett’s season has been slowed by a knee injury but he has played in every game and ranks 3rd on the squad with 31 points. The Dolphins have thrived on defense, allowing just 40 goals all season.

Game time for Saturday’s contest, which will take place in the lacrosse hotbed of Syracuse, NY, has been moved up to 12:00 p.m. to accommodate local television broadcasts. Tickets will be available at the gate beginning at 10:00 a.m. Ticket Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Limestone fans can also receive continuous in-game updates by calling the Saints Hotline at 864-488-8225.

There is a lot riding on Saturday’s game for both schools. Limestone is looking for its sixth consecutive trip to the final. LeMoyne is looking to extend its 30 game winning streak. A simple chance at the title game would have been more than enough to bring out the best in both teams.