MANSFIELD, Conn. – Junior Riley Roy (Laconia, N.H.) tallied three goals and five points, but Plymouth State University dropped a non-conference men's lacrosse game at Eastern Connecticut State University, 9-6, at Rick McCarthy Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
Meeting for the second time in seven days, the Warriors built a 4-1 first quarter lead. Plymouth State narrowed the deficit to 5-4 by halftime but was unable to pull even. Eastern Connecticut added a pair of goals in the third quarter to make it 7-4 and the teams played even over the final 15 minutes.
 
With the setback the Panthers dip to 1-2, while Eastern Connecticut moves to 4-1.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 6, Eastern Conn. St. 9
  • Plymouth State (1-2)
  • Eastern Conn. St. (4-1)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Riley Roy (3 goals, 2 asts)
  • Marc Hirshom (9 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers)
  • Jessy Hirwa (11 saves)

How it Happened:

• Eastern Connecticut scored twice in a 57-second span, then pushed the lead to 3-0 three minutes later to gain the early advantage.
• Roy picked up his first of the afternoon with 4:46 left in the opening frame on a man-up opportunity, but the Warriors restored the three-goal lead in the final seconds of the quarter.
• Junior Mike Donnelly (New Hampton, N.H.) cut into the margin in the opening minute of the second quarter, but ECSU went ahead 5-2 with 4:35 left in the half.
• Plymouth State rallied in the final 86 seconds of the quarter as Roy scored twice to pull within one, 5-4, at the intermission.
• The Panthers couldn't pull even, though, as Eastern Connecticut padded the lead with a pair of goals in the third quarter.
• Freshman Nolan Burke (Dudley, Mass.) tallied his first career goal and sophomore Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) also scored for the Panthers in the final 15 minutes, but PSU couldn't overcome the deficit.

By the Numbers:

• Senior Robert Porter (Groveland, Mass.) made five saves over the first 21:09, while freshman Jessy Hirwa (Penacook, N.H.) stopped 11 shots through the final 38:51.
• ECSU held a 41-30 edge in shots and won the ground ball battle, 40-31.
• The Panthers were 15-of-25 on clear attempts.
• Roy leads the Panthers with eight goals and 11 points through the first three games.
• Sophomore Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) tallied a pair of assists, while freshman Marc Hirshom (East Walpole, Mass.) led all players with nine ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Up Next:

• The Panthers host Western Connecticut State University next Saturday (Apr. 10) for a 3:30 p.m. LEC tilt.