HENNIKER, N.H. – Saint Joseph's College (5-2) topped New England College (1-5), 13-8, in a non-conference men's lacrosse contest on Wednesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Monks built what proved to be an insurmountable lead in the first half as the Royal Blue carried a 10-4 cushion into intermission with the help of three goals from senior Michael Finn (Quincy, Mass.) and two apiece from sophomores Brendan Martin (Nashua, N.H.) and Shane Puleo (Nashua, N.H.).
Finn struck twice in the third quarter to extend the SJC advantage to 12-5 and the Monks withstood a late charge by the Pilgrims to claim the 13-8 triumph.
THE KEEPERS:
SJC sophomore Logan Skinner (Irving, Texas) was outstanding in the victory with a career-high 17 saves while NEC netminder William Platt turned away 13 shots in the losing bid.
TEAM STATS:
New England College held the lead in shots (47-36), ground balls (40-26), and face-off wins (17-7) while Saint Joseph's posted a 26-25 edge in shots on goal on the evening.
LEADERS:
- Finn led all players with five goals on eight shots with a pair of ground balls
- Puleo scored twice with three assists
- Martin added three goals and an assist with four ground balls
- Freshman Troy Bottari (Nashua, N.H.) chipped in with a goal and four assists
- Senior Tyler Retalic (Framingham, Mass.) notched a goal and an assist
- Senior defender Joseph Mooney (Kennebunk, Maine) picked up four ground balls with three caused turnovers
- Junior face-off midi Shane Fors (Kalamazoo, Mich.) won seven face-offs and scooped up three ground balls
- For NEC, Charles Hacking scored three goals while Austin Frankel (11) and Quint Bartush (6) combined to win 17 face-offs
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Tonight's meeting between Saint Joseph's and New England College was the first-ever between the institutions' men's lacrosse programs.
NEXT!
The Monks kick off conference play Saturday with a 3:30 PM game versus reigning GNAC Champion Johnson & Wales University.