BOSTON, Mass. – Top-seeded and unbeaten University of Massachusetts Boston held off fifth-seeded Plymouth State University, 17-9, in the semifinal round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament at James Cotter Field on Thursday night.
The Panthers put up an impressive effort and trailed at the half by just two, 8-6, but the UMass Boston defense limited PSU in the second half as the Beacons survived to advance Saturday's championship game.
The two teams traded punches in a highly contested first half, as the Panthers wouldn't go away. The hosts took a two-goal lead (6-4) for the first time midway through the second quarter, but Plymouth State answered with back-to-back goals to square things at 6-6. UMB scored twice in a 20-second span to take an 8-6 advantage into the intermission.
The Beacons scored three straight to open the third quarter and increased the lead to 12-7 after the end of the third. Plymouth State cut the margin to 12-8 early in the fourth quarter, but the hosts pulled away with a 5-0 run.
Plymouth State (4-5) was making a ninth-straight appearance in the semifinal round after upsetting fourth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University, 10-6, on Tuesday.
UMass Boston (8-0) will try for its first LEC crown against third-seeded Western Connecticut State University on Saturday. The Colonials upset second-seeded Keene State, 11-10, in the night's other semifinal game.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 9, UMass Boston 17
- Plymouth State (4-5)
- UMass Boston (8-0)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- UMass Boston tried to set an early tone, scoring just 20 seconds into the contest, but Plymouth State did not back down.
- Junior Mark Iamele (Georgetown, Mass.) pulled the Panthers even with 11:16 left in the opening quarter, and three minutes later junior Mike Donnelly (New Hampton, N.H.) gave PSU its first lead.
- UMB tied the game at 2-2 26 seconds later, but senior goalie Robert Porter (Groveland, Mass.) ran the length of the field before feeding sophomore Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) for a goal with 7:05 left.
- The Beacons scored with just under a minute left in the quarter, then went ahead 1:11 into the second.
- Freshman Marc Hirshom (East Walpole, Mass.) tied the game at 4-4 with his first career goal, but the hosts scored two straight to regain the lead.
- Junior Riley Roy (Laconia, N.H.) and sophomore Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) each tallied goals for the Panthers to even things at 6-6, but UMB answered with a pair of goals for an 8-6 advantage at the half.
- UMB scored three straight out of the break before Drew converted a man-up opportunity. The Beacons added the final score of the third quarter for a 12-7 advantage after three.
- Donnelly buried his second of the evening to pull the Panthers to within 12-8, but UMB took control with a 5-0 spurt before freshman Nolan Burke (Dudley, Mass.) capped the scoring.
By the Numbers:
- PSU relied on its most balanced attack of the year as a season high seven different players scored. Donnelly and Drew led the way with two goals apiece.
- Burke and Fleury each contributed a goal and two assists, while Hirshom scooped up a team-high six ground balls and added four caused turnovers.
- Freshman Jack Bonazzoli (Clinton, Mass.) added five ground balls and five caused turnovers.
- Porter had another strong game in the cage, racking up 18 saves to go with his assist.
- UMB outshot the Panthers by a 60-36 margin.
- Plymouth State was 22-for-29 in clear attempts.
- The two teams were meeting in the postseason for the fourth straight time. PSU topped the Beacons in the 2019 semifinals and 2018 first round, while UMass Boston won the 2017 semifinal matchup.
Up Next:
- The game marked the end of the Panthers' season and the final game for seniors Zach Conrad (Walpole, Mass.) and Porter.
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