ELMIRA, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Lacrosse team opened their 2020 campaign with a 15-3 victory over Elmira College on Monday night.

Keuka College (1-0) was led by Connor Cupp with six goals and eight total points. Chris Bellanca scored four goals and added an assist while brother Michael Bellanca recorded four points with a goal and three assists.

Keuka College 15 at Elmira College 3

The hosts took advantage of an early Keuka College penalty and scored on the man-up 1:20 into the game on Monday. Chris Bellanca answered, but the Soaring Eagles regained the early advantage with 8:33 left in the first. They held that lead for over five minutes until Connor Cupp tied it up for the Wolves. Keuka would add three more goals in the quarter. The final tally came six seconds after a previous goal as Seth Spurgeon won the faceoff and raced down for the goal as Keuka led 5-2 after the first.

The Green and Gold continued their scoring run. The Wolves scored the first five goals of the second quarter to extend their lead. In total, Keuka College held Elmira scoreless for 20:27 before the Soaring Eagles notched their third goal. The Wolves added a final in the half as Michael Bellanca set up Connor Cupp to give Keuka an 11-3 lead at the half.

The goal at the end of the second quarter would prove to be the final one of the night for Elmira. Kasey Gallina scored the lone goal of the quarter. Keuka College carried a 12-3 lead into the final frame.

Chris Bellanca found the back of the net early in the fourth, scoring 22 seconds into the quarter. Connor Cupp added two more goals in the quarter as Keuka College defeated Elmira College 15-3.

KC Notes:

• Keuka College won their seventh straight against Elmira, levelling the all-time series with the Soaring Eagles at 13-13.
• The 26 games played is the most-played series in Keuka College Men's Lacrosse history
• It was the fifth straight season-opening win for Keuka College
• The Wolves controlled the game from the faceoff spot, only dropped four all night. Andrew Peterman went 10-12 and Seth Spurgeon went 6-8 for Keuka
• Brandon MacDonell scored his first collegiate goal and also tallied his first collegiate assist. Hayden Coakley got his first collegiate assist in his first game as well
• Playing in his first game for Keuka College, Jared Hurlbutt made eight saves in goal for the Wolves
• Keuka College outshot Elmira 64-23 on Monday. It was the third-most shots in a game in program history
• Ryan Bates collected a career-best nine groundballs

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will play their first home game of the season this Saturday at the Jephson Community Athletic Complex. Keuka College will face La Roche for the first time in program history. Faceoff is set for 1pm.