Men's Lacrosse | 5/22/2011 3:36:27 PM

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ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's lacrosse team had their dream season come to an end on Sunday, losing to the reigning Division III champions, Tufts University 16-12 in the 2011 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Semifinals at RIT Turf Field. The Tigers finished the season with a 19-1 record, while Tufts is 18-2 and moves on to face Salisbury University in the National Championship Game on Sunday, May 29 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The game was tied at 12-12 with 4:42 to play on a goal by RIT's Jordan Collins-Hartwig (Buffalo, NY/Clarence). The Jumbos scored the final four goals to advance to the title game for the second straight season.

Matt Witko scored the eventual game-winner with 3:46 to play on a sweeping drive from his midfield position. He finished with two goals.

Junior attack Tyler Russell (Livonia, NY/Livonia) led RIT with five goals. His five goals gives him 69 for the season, which breaks the record for goals in a season of 65 set back in 1980 by Greg Goulet.

Kelso Davis (Freeport, ME/Deerfield Academy), Iric Bressler (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) and Collins-Hartwig each had two goals. Bressler added four assists, while MacIntosh had two helpers, and Collins-Hartwig had one assist.

MJ Kiekebelt (Caledon, Ontario/St. Andrews College/Aurora) had an assist, grabbed eight ground balls, and caused three turnovers. Elliott Cowburn (Oakville, ON/Holy Trinity) caused five turnovers, and senior Bob Tonnessen (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) made 15 saves in net for the Tigers. The 19 wins by Tonnessen this season is a program record for wins in a season by a goalie. He finished his career with 34 wins, fifth all-time in program history.

D.J. Hessler led the Jumbos with five points on two goals and three assists. Sean Kirwan tallied four goals and Kevin McCormick added three tallies for Tufts.

Witko and Geordie Shaffer each had a pair of goals.

Freshman Patton Watkins picked up the win, allowing 12 goals and maing 13 saves.

Tufts outshot RIT 55-34 and won the ground ball battle 47-41. The Tigers won just 10-of-32 face-offs and were 29-of-33 on clearing attempts. RIT had 22 turnvovers to 25 for the Jumbos.

The 19 overall wins and 19 consecutive wins by RIT this season is a program record, along with 308 goals scored.