Men’s Lax Upends New England College, 10-6

PLYMOUTH- Last Wednesday amidst a rainy, windy and cold Panther Field, the Plymouth State University men’s lacrosse team faced New England College. The air before the game was wet and it seemed inevitable that some precipitation was soon to follow. Regardless of the weather, the Panthers disemboweled their prey, the unsuspecting and smaller Pilgrims. The first goal of the game was scored by junior attacker Jon Gagnon. The goal was much anticipated by the Plymouth faithful that adorned the steel bleachers, and before they had a chance to brush off their soggy clothing, John Cogswell scored off a Ryan Silva assist, which capped off the first quarter. The second quarter saw a few fans leave and a couple quick flashes of lightning. Despite fleeing fans and worrisome elements, the Panthers came out and began to open up their 2- 0 lead. After goals by Adam Krinsky and Tim Vasconcellos, the game was beginning to look like a sure-fire victory, when Michael MacVane scored New England’s initial goal. The Pilgrim celebration didn’t last exceptionally long though, as Plymouth came right back with a Nick Pearson goal and a Krinsky assist. However, the Panthers seemed to lose a little focus and let up two goals in a span of seven seconds to make their lead at halftime only by two, 5-3. From halftime on, the game was all Panthers, as the team in green and white led an attack that baffled the Pilgrims, led by goals from Pearson, John Padua, Captain Steve Skinner, Pat O’Malley, and Gagnon. They were assisted by beautiful passing from Mike Russell, Bobby Dabrieo, and O’Malley. A skirmish at the end of quarter three was evidence that the Pilgrims were becoming exceedingly frustrated, but with a seven goal lead with a quarter left, was New England in for a hardy comeback? Nope. The Pilgrims did however make the game closer with three goals throughout the fourth, but the goal-tending by the Panthers throughout the game, especially by Steve Valeri, earned them the victory with 12 saves on the game. Senior Tyler Prudden chipped in with seven saves in net. At times the team looked to be making one too many extra passes, but more than once those extra passes turned into scores, and by the end of the game more than a few Panthers ended up with points.The 10-6 final marked a victory for their third consecutive game, which pulled the team closer to .500 at 5-6 on the season. The Panthers will play their final game of the regular season next Sunday, May 1 at 1p.m. in a make-up game against UMASS Dartmouth.