MANSFIELD, Conn. – Senior Robert Porter (Groveland, Mass.) made 19 saves and fifth-seeded Plymouth State University used a 5-0 run from the second to fourth quarters to upset fourth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University, 10-6, in the opening round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament at Rick McCarthy Field on Tuesday evening.
 
Plymouth State advances to face top-seeded University of Massachusetts Boston in the semifinal round on Thursday (May 6), while ECSU's season comes to a close.
 
PSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but Eastern Connecticut used four straight goals to take the lead midway through the second quarter. The Panthers held ECSU scoreless for the next 29 minutes, though, and the offense poured in five goals as the Panthers went ahead, 8-4, with ten minutes to play.
 
Eastern Connecticut tried to rally, scoring twice in a 43-second span, but the Panthers recovered and added a pair of insurance goals to wrap up the victory.
 
PSU improves to 4-4, while Eastern Connecticut ends its season with a 6-6 mark.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 10, Eastern Conn. St. 6
  • Plymouth State (4-4)
  • Eastern Conn. St. (6-6)

Top Performers:

• Robert Porter (19 saves)
• Mike Fleury (4 goals)
• Nolan Burke (3 goals, 1 asst)

How it Happened:

• Junior Mike Donnelly (New Hampton, N.H.) got the Panthers on the board first just over five minutes into the game and freshman Nolan Burke (Dudley, Mass.) scored back-to-back goals as PSU took a 3-0 lead midway through the frame.
• Eastern Connecticut scored twice in the final 2:11 to cut the led to 3-2 after one.
• The Warriors opened the second with consecutive goals to pull ahead, 4-3, but Porter kept the hosts off the scoreboard for the next 29 minutes as the Panthers clawed back.
• Burke tied the game with his third of the day and the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 4-4.
• Sophomore Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) ripped off three goals in the third quarter as the Panthers went in front for good.
• Donnelly padded the lead 4:31 into the fourth quarter as PSU extended the lead to 8-4.
• With their backs against the wall the Warriors attempted to rally, scoring twice in a 43-second span, but Donnelly answered for PSU and Fleury added an insurance tally as the Panthers held on for the win.

By the Numbers:

• Fleury's four goals were a career high, while Burke and Donnelly added three goals apiece. Burke chipped in with an assist for a four-point game.
• Junior Riley Roy (Laconia, N.H.) notched three assists.
• Freshman Marc Hirshom (East Walpole, Mass.) led the Panthers with five ground balls, while sophomore Joey Lusardo (Norwalk, Conn.) and junior Bobby Delling (Stoneham, Mass.) each registered three caused turnovers.
• Porter's 19 saves were his most since April 27, 2019 and the second-most of his career. He improved to 4-4.
• ECSU held a 42-26 advantage in shots.
• Plymouth State went 24-for-27 in clear attempts.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State moves on to the semifinal round for the ninth straight season where they will face top-seeded and unbeaten UMass Boston.