McGeary's clutch shooting earns him DP Sports Player of the Week

So far, so good for Penn men’s lacrosse and senior captain Kevin McGeary. 

The team’s first game of the year was an unbridled success. After starting the contest down 3-0, the Red and Blue regrouped at both ends of the field, scoring 12 of the next 18 goals en route to 12-9 victory over a solid Michigan team. 

The Wolverines controlled possession early, scoring three goals before the Quakers had even advanced the ball onto their own side of the field. But once they finally did, the Penn offense, led by McGeary, caught fire. 

The star attackman scored four goals and added an assist, leading the team in points for the game. But even more impressive than the sheer volume of production was McGeary’s timing. Whenever Penn needed him most, McGeary delivered.  

Down 3-2, it appeared as if Penn would have to score each possession to keep up with Michigan’s impressive performance at the Faceoff X, so McGeary’s dish to junior midfielder Joe Licciardi on the crease was especially important. Licciardi caught the ball and flung it over his shoulder and into the net with just one hand to knot the score at three. 

From that point on, McGeary took over the game. His first goal tied the contest at seven and sparked a run that would see Penn take its first lead. 

After that lead had been established, Michigan tried desperately to battle its way back into the game, only to be met by McGeary. Twice the Wolverines drew within one and twice McGeary answered with goals of his own.  

Finally, at the start of the fourth quarter, McGeary tallied his fourth goal, which increased the lead to 11-8 and effectively placed the game out of Michigan’s reach. 

Such a clutch performance has become typical of McGeary in his Penn career. Last season, he was the team’s second-leading point producer, whose powerful shot kept a young Penn team in many games. If this first game is any indication, McGeary has only improved upon his game, and if that’s true, he should have many more DP Sports Player of the Week awards in his future.