(Box Score)

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Brian Giroux (Wolfeboro Falls, N.H.) and junior Andrew Eriksen (Beverly, Mass.) scored five goals apiece Tuesday afternoon as Plymouth State University defeated the University of Southern Maine, 21-12, in a Little East Conference men's lacrosse game at Panther Field.

            Giroux added three assists to his totals, while Eriksen also set up one goal.  Giroux now has 24 goals on the season and Eriksen has a team-high 28.  They helped the Panthers record their third straight victory, improving to 5-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

            Sophomore Kyle Baker (Kennebunk, Maine) tallied five goals and one assist to lead the visitors, who dropped their seventh in a row to fall to 2-9 overall and 0-4 in the LEC.

            Plymouth State scored the first seven goals of the game before USM got on the board.  Giroux had four of the seven, while Eriksen scored two and senior Tim Hadley (New London, N.H.) one.  Sophomore Kayle Hamilton (Buxton, Maine) and Baker tallied back-to-back goals to give USM life, but Eriksen added his third of the game to give PSU an 8-2 advantage after one period.

            The Panther notched the first five goals of the second quarter, two by senior Brett Zebrowski (Bayville, N.Y.), to take a commanding 13-2 lead.  PSU led 14-4 at the half and maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half.

            Senior Steve Engel (South Windsor, Conn.) contributed two goals, two assists and a career-high 10 ground balls for PSU while winning 15 of 20 face-offs.  Senior Matt Johansmeyer (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) and junior Jesse Holland (Winchester, Mass.) also scored twice each for the Panthers.

            Junior Tim Bryant (Peterborough, N.H.) recorded three goals and an assist for USM, while Hamilton and junior Dan Thomas (Shrewsbury, Mass.) added two goals apiece.  Baker picked up a team-high 10 ground balls and freshman James Soules (Scarborough, Maine) collected seven.

            PSU is home again Saturday for Senior Day at Panther Field as the Panthers host UMass Dartmouth in an LEC affair (1:00 p.m.).  Southern Maine returns home to host Salem State in a Little East tilt Saturday at 1:00 p.m. 

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