PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) scored five goals and added an assist and Plymouth State University locked up a spot in the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament after topping the University of Southern Maine, 15-9, in an LEC contest at Panther Field on Tuesday night.
The Panthers jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter, but USM slowly chipped away and pulled to within 7-6 by halftime. The teams traded early third quarter goals, but junior
Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) scored and Fay added three straight tallies to go ahead 12-7 and the Panthers would remain in control the rest of the way.
Prior to the game Plymouth State recognized its senior class;
Mark Iamele (Georgetown, Mass.),
Riley Roy (Laconia, N.H.),
Cam O'Shaughnessy (Milford, N.H.),
Mitch Stevens (Bridgewater, N.H.) and
Mitchell Prive (Hampton, N.H.), along with manager
Patrick Lillicotch (Campton, N.H.) in a brief on-field ceremony.
The Panthers have made the playoffs every year since the LEC first sponsored the sport in 2001. PSU improves to 6-9 (3-4 LEC), while Southern Maine moves to 3-9 and 1-6 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 15, Southern Maine 9
- Plymouth State (6-9, 3-4 LEC)
- Southern Maine (3-9, 1-6 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Freshman Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.) had a hand in the game's first two scores, picking up a goal before assisting on a tally by classmate Shea Clark (Woburn, Mass.) for an early 2-0 lead.
- Southern Maine cut the deficit in half, but Fay buried back-to-back goals, including one playing a man-down.
- Fleury added a man-up goal and Roy made it 6-1 before the Huskies closed the first with 2:40 left in the quarter.
- USM made it 6-3 but sophomore Nolan Burke (Worcester, Mass.) answered right back.
- The Huskies closed the half with a flurry, pouring in three goals in a span of 1:19, to pull within 7-6 at the intermission.
- Fleury restored the two-goal advantage less than two minutes into the third, but Southern Maine came back to make it 8-7.
- PSU pulled away from there, with Fleury scoring ahead of three-straight by Fay for a 12-7 lead after three.
- Foy pushed the margin to 13-7 midway through the fourth quarter. The Huskies tried to rally, but goals from junior Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) and freshman Leif Charbonneau (North Grafton, Mass.) wrapped up the playoff-securing win.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State outshot USM by a wide margin of 54-39.
- The Panthers had eight caused turnovers, with sophomore Jack Bonazzoli (Clinton, Mass.) leading the way with four. Sophomore Marc Hirshom (East Walpole, Mass.) snagged two.
- PSU was efficient on clears, converting 22-of-23, while holdings Southern Maine to 14-for-21.
- Drew picked up three assists in the game.
- Fay has five games this season with five or more scores.
- Sophomore Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) made 10 saves for the win.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes out the regular season at in-state rival Keene State College on Friday (Apr. 29) at 5:00 p.m.
Seniors Mitchell Prive, Mitch Stevens, Cam O'Shaughnessy, Riley Roy, Mark Iamele and Patrick Lillicotch with coach Mike Wilus and their families.
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