MELBOURNE, Fla. – Florida Tech men's lacrosse team took care of business on Saturday afternoon, rolling past North Greenville by a score of 14-9 for their first win of the 2025 season. The Trailblazers battled the Panthers in the first half, but a strong third quarter saw Tech score seven goals to put the game away.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final:  Florida Tech 14, North Greenville 9
Records: Florida Tech (1-1, 0-0 SSC) | North Greenville (1-1, 0-0 CC)
Locations: Rick Stottler Field | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST QUARTER: 

• Both teams traded goals to open the game.
• North Greenville scored just 35 seconds in before Tech made it even as Rob Gadomski found Gavin Wessel for his first goal of the season.
• NGU found the back of the net at the eight-minute mark to go ahead, before Gadomski battled for his first goal of the day, assisted by Andrew Walenty.
• The teams fought for the remaining 5:29 but headed into the second period tied at two a piece.

SECOND QUARTER: 

• The Panthers started the second period strong, scoring back-to-back to take their first lead of the game, 4-2.
• Gadomski scored on an unassisted effort at the 12:22 mark.
• Immediately after, Shale Saeger won the face-off and the Panther offense worked the ball around until Brooks Van Esselstyn was able to get a shot off for his first goal of the day.
• The Trailblazers outscored the Panthers 3-1 the rest of the period.
• Gadomski completed the hat trick with 1:26 remaining.
• Teams were tied up 5-5 going into the break.

THIRD QUARTER: 

• Tech dominated the third period outscoring NGU 7-2.
• The Panthers found the back of the net twice within the opening minute of the frame. Dawson Long created some action earning his first goal in a Panther uniform, 36 seconds in.
• After NGU won the face-off, JR Radun forced a turnover and followed up with his first goal of the season.
• Tech controlled the next few minutes, creating several opportunities. Gadomski tacked on another point at 11:30, followed by Jack Cornwell off a feed from Gavin Stecher to extend the lead 9-5, before Long scored his second of the day, unassisted.
• Teams traded goals, two each, to head into the final frame 12-7. Tech's goals came from Danny Richmond and Wessel.

FOURTH QUARTER: 

• Each team scored two goals in the final frame.
• Brooks Van Esselstyn notched his second goal of the day at the 12:46 mark.
• Three minutes later, NGU answered back to make it a 13-8 game.
• The Panthers final goal came at 4:42 when Van Esselstyn completed a hat trick off a feed from Joe Covesleski.
• NGU got the final goal of the period with three minutes to go, but it wasn't enough to take down the Panthers.

NOTABLE PANTHERS: 

• Rob Gadomski led the Panthers with five points on four goals and one assist.
• Brooks Van Esselstyn recorded a hat trick.
• Gavin Wessel recorded two goals while collecting five ground balls and causing one turnover.
• Dawson Long posted two goals for two points.
• Jack Cornwell, Danny Richmond, and JR Radun each tallied one goal.
• Steve Ulrichs led the defense with four caused turnovers and five ground balls.
• Shale Saeger went 7-of-15 at the X.
• Jax Francisco recorded 10 saves and a .526 save percentage.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech outshot NGU 35-29 with 22 on goal against NGU's 19.
• The Panthers recorded fewer turnovers (20-29) and more ground balls (33-22).
• Florida Tech went  24-of-28 on clears, while NGU went 15-of-20.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Panthers move to 2-0 all-time against North Greenville.
• Rob Gadomski and Dawson Long each scored their first goal in a Panther Uniform.
• Brooks Van Esselstyn recorded his first career hat trick.
• Gavin Wessel's five ground balls tie his career high.

 
UP NEXT: Florida Tech will head to Flagler on Saturday March 15, to take on the Saints at 7 pm.

For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men's lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.