PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) and freshman
Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.) combined for 14 goals, including 11 in the first half, as Plymouth State University cruised past New England College, 21-4, in non-conference men's lacrosse action at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
Miner poured in five goals in the first quarter, while Fay equaled the task in the second as the Panthers controlled play throughout. PSU's 21 goals were the most since a 24-goal outburst against Johnson State College on April 17, 2005.
Plymouth State moves to 2-4, while the Pilgrims dip to 1-5.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 21, NEC 4
- Plymouth State (2-4)
- NEC (1-5)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Miner and Fay took control right from the opening faceoff as the duo gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead just two minutes into the game with Miner finding the back of the cage twice and Fay once.
- NEC answered to briefly slow the momentum, but Plymouth State ripped off four straight goals, including three from Miner, to end the quarter with a 7-1 lead. Miner finished the quarter with five goals and an assist.
- The Panthers held NEC off the scoreboard during the second quarter, while tallying another seven goals as the lead expanded to 14-1 at halftime. The highlight of the frame came when sophomore goalie Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) whipped a pass 50-plus yards during a man-down situation to Fay, who caught and converted at the offensive end. Fay had five goals and an assist in the second quarter alone.
- Plymouth State continued to tack on in the second half, with Fay scoring twice in the third quarter, including a between-the-legs shot with his back to the cage tally to push the lead to 18-1, before NEC answered in the final minute.
- PSU outscored the Pilgrims, 3-2, in the fourth quarter to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Fay finished with eight goals and nine points. The eight tallies are tied for the sixth most in a game in program history. He leads the Panthers with 17 goals in five games this season.
- Miner doubled his offensive output for the season with his six-goal effort. He ranks second on the team, behind Fay, in goals (12) and points (19) for the year.
- Junior Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) dished out five assists, while 13 different Panthers scored points in the game.
- Senior Mark Iamele (Georgetown, Mass.) and freshman Leif Charbonneau (North Grafton, Mass.) were tied with a team-high five ground balls apiece, with Charbonneau also going 9-of-16 on faceoffs.
- PSU went 21-of-25 on clears and were 2-for-2 in extra man opportunities. The Panthers limited NEC to 15-of-28 on clear attempts and just 1-of-12 in man-up situations.
- McNichols finished with three saves to earn the win. Sophomore Jessy Hirwa (Penacook, N.H.) took over for the second half and made five stops.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Nichols College on Wednesday (Mar. 23) for a 4:00 p.m. game with the Bison.
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