Knapp Sets Career Goal Record in 17-3 Lacrosse win

Scots Senior Nets Hat-Trick Against Rams

by Nathan Baliva

Monmouth, IL (04/15/2021) — There's a new career goal-scoring leader in the Monmouth College men's lacrosse program and it is Jeff Knapp (Nolensville, Tennessee). Knapp scored three times in the 17-3 win at Cornell College on Wednesday and now holds the school's all-time record with 72 goals.

The Scots (4-1, 3-1) scored 58 seconds into the game as Mitch Perez (Glen Ellyn, Illinois) got on the board. Michael Casey (Chicago, Illinois) made it 2-0 and Knapp's first goal of the game gave the Scots a 3-0 lead. That goal gave Knapp the record with 70 goals as he entered the contest tied with Thomas Van Alstine on 69 goals. Perez assisted on Knapp's goal and then scored his second of the game with 14 seconds left in the first.

Knapp's second of the game came with a man advantage just 1:11 into the second period. After Cornell scored, Kain Donohoo (St. Charles, Illinois) scored the next two goals and Monmouth took a 7-1 lead into the half.

"It was a good night for us to get back on the field after a tough loss last week," said coach Chris Klaiber. "The men did well to bounce back and work hard on the practice field this week and that was rewarded tonight."

Casey scored his second of the game just 49 seconds into the third quarter and Gordon Kisegen (Spring Grove, Illinois) scored immediately off the faceoff for a 9-1 lead. Chasen Smith (Algonquin, Illinois) made it 10-1 and Korbyn Personett (Pittsfield, Illinois) scored with the Scots on the power play. Knapp completed the hat trick and the Scots kept scoring with goals from Donohoo, Casey and Personett to close out the eight-goal quarter.

With the Scots up 15-1, Smith scored twice in the fourth quarter to complete his hat trick. The Scots finished off Cornell with the 17-3 win.

"Smith did well returning to the lineup, James Nowicki (Westchester, Illinois) and Xandru Borst (Schererville, Indiana) were great on defense too," said Klaiber. "Nehemiah Declaw (Aurora, Colorado) was great as our backup goalie and guys who got a chance to contribute played well tonight."

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Knapp has 19 goals in four games this season...Donohoo is second on the team with 12 goals...Teagan Simons (Littleton, Colorado) made seven saves and allowed just one goal...Declaw made five saves in the fourth quarter...The Scots beat Cornell 13-5 earlier this season at home...The Scots took 67 shots, third most in a game in school history...Casey led the team with seven ground balls...Perez and Casey both had two assists...The Scots don't play again until Saturday, April 24 at Northland.