CASTLETON, Vt. – Sophomore
Nolan Burke (Worcester, Mass.) scored four times, including the go-ahead goal late in the fourth quarter, and Plymouth State University rallied from a 7-4 deficit to top Castleton University, 10-7, in Little East Conference (LEC) men's lacrosse action at Dave Wolk Stadium Wednesday night.
PSU trailed 7-4 after the Spartans scored in the opening minute of the frame, but the Panthers clawed back scoring the final six goals of the game, including Burke's third and fourth of the night, to give Plymouth State a lead it would not relinquish.
The Panthers pick up an important conference win to improve to 5-9 (2-4 LEC), while Castleton goes to 1-12 and 1-4 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 10, Castleton 7
- Plymouth State (5-9, 2-4 LEC)
- Castleton (1-12, 1-4 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Castleton took the early lead 1:32 into the first quarter, but Burke tied the game midway through the frame.
- The Spartans struck late in the quarter to carry a one-goal lead into the second.
- Senior Riley Roy (Laconia, N.H.) pulled the Panthers even, but Castleton responded with back-to-back tallies for a 4-2 advantage.
- Roy notched his second of the night during a man-up opportunity, but the hosts closed the half with a pair of goals for a 6-3 lead.
- The Panthers notched the only score of the third quarter on a strike by junior Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) to pull within 6-4.
- Castleton extended the lead just 40 seconds into the fourth, but the Panthers came roaring back with goals from freshman Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.), Burke and sophomore Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) to knot the game at 7-7.
- Burke completed the hat trick to as the Panthers pulled ahead with 3:49 left to play, then added an insurance tally 1:41 later.
- Fleury capped the scoring in the final minute to wrap up the win.
By the Numbers:
- Burke's four goals and five points were both season highs. His 35 points are third-most on the team.
- Roy and Fleury each scored twice, while Fay and Miner chipped in a goal and an assist apiece.
- Junior Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) handed out three assists.
- Sophomores Jack Bonazzoli (Clinton, Mass.) and Seth Marcotte (Plaistow, N.H.) led the Panthers with four ground balls each. Marcotte also won 8-of-12 faceoffs, while Bonazzoli added two caused turnovers.
- Sophomore Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) picked up the win after stopping seven of eight shots in the second half. Classmate Jessy Hirwa (Penacook, N.H.) had two saves in the first half.
- PSU finished 1-for-4 in extra man opportunities, while holding the Spartans scoreless in three tries.
- The Panthers were 15-of-17 in clear attempts.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is off this weekend before hosting the University of Southern Maine next Tuesday (Apr. 26) on Senior Day. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.
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