A two-time first team All-SUNYAC selection after transferring from Sacred Heart, Gardner is the only player in Geneseo lacrosse history to earn a spot on the top three All-American teams on two occasions. The close defender was a third team All-America selection in 2006 and became Geneseo's initial first team All-American in 2007. The Syracuse, NY native and graduate of Corcoran High School led the Geneseo defense to a record of 22-8 over two seasons and paced defensemen with 49 groundballs in 2006 and 48 groundballs in 2007. He helped the Knights to the SUNYAC Championship in 2007 and participated in two NCAA Division III tournaments.