PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) notched three goals and an assist, but Western Connecticut State University used a run of 10 straight goals between the first and second quarters to top Plymouth State University, 16-7, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's lacrosse game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
WestConn, which was receiving votes in this week's USILA/Dynamic 2022 Men's Coaches Division III Poll, snapped a 1-1 tie with six consecutive goals to take a 7-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Plymouth State battled from there, as the visitors only outscored PSU by a 9-6 margin the rest of the way, but the early deficit was too large to overcome.
Plymouth State dips to 2-7 overall (0-2 LEC), while WestConn improves to 9-1 and 2-0 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 7, WestConn 16
- Plymouth State (2-7, 0-2 LEC)
- WestConn (9-1, 2-0 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- WestConn got on the board in the opening minute, but Fay answered for the Panthers two minutes later to knot the game at 1-1.
- The visitors closed out the opening quarter with six straight tallies to take a 7-1 lead after one.
- WestConn continued the scoring streak with the first four markers of the second quarter to go ahead 11-1.
- Plymouth State looked to change the momentum as sophomore Nolan Burke (Worcester, Mass.) scored twice in the final 64 seconds to make it 11-3 at the half.
- WestConn opened the third with three straight goals before Fay stopped the run with his second of the day.
- The visitors pushed the lead to 15-4, but PSU answered with three straight goals after tallies by Fay, junior Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) and freshman Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.).
- WestConn notched the lone goal of the fourth quarter to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- WestConn held a narrow 40-38 edge in shots.
- Plymouth State went 19-of-26 on clear attempts, while WestConn was 21-of-24.
- Neither team was successful during man-up situations. PSU went 0-for-7, while the visitors were scoreless in three tries.
- Sophomore Jessy Hirwa (Penacook, N.H.) made five saves in the second half and led the team with five ground balls. Classmate Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) had five saves in the first half.
- Freshman Joey Loeber (Chelmsford, Mass.) had a team high three caused turnovers.
- With his two goals, Burke is tied for second on the team with 24 points, tied with Miner and one behind team-leader Fay.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to Northern Vermont University-Lyndon for a non-conference matchup on Tuesday (Apr. 5). The opening faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
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