PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) matched career highs with eight goals and nine points as Plymouth State University roared past Eastern Connecticut State University, 14-5, in Little East Conference (LEC) men's lacrosse action at Panther Field on Saturday.
Plymouth State set an early tone as Fay poured in four first quarter goals while the Panthers' defense held Eastern Connecticut scoreless over the first 18 minutes of action. The visitors used a three-goal spurt early in the second to pull within 5-3, but it was all Plymouth State from there. PSU pushed the advantage to 8-3 by halftime and outscored the Warriors by a 6-2 margin in the second half to coast to the win.
Plymouth State improves to 8-3 (1-2 LEC) on the season, while Eastern Connecticut dips to 4-7 (1-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 14, Eastern Connecticut 5
- Plymouth State (8-3, 1-2 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (4-7, 1-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers got out to a hot start, taking advantage of an early ECSU penalty for Fay's 30th goal of the season less than two minutes into the game.
- PSU ran a terrific transition offense with Fay converting twice more before the midpoint of the frame for a 3-0 lead. He added his fourth tally of the period with 2:43 remaining.
- Junior Nolan Burke (Worcester, Mass.) pushed the margin to 5-0 in the opening minutes of the second, but Eastern Connecticut attempted to rally. The Warriors scored three straight goals, including two man-up tallies, to pull within 5-3 with 8:36 left before halftime.
- Fay buried his fifth of the day to stop the streak, though, and sophomore Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.) and senior Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) added scores as the lead grew to 8-3.
- Eastern Connecticut opened the second half scoring, but Fay poured in two more and senior Jake Dolcimascolo (Georgetown, Mass.) beat the Warriors' goalie to extend the advantage to 11-4 after three.
- The teams traded goals in the opening minute of the fourth, with Fleury recording his second of the day, and Dolcimascolo and Fay each found the back of the cage once more before PSU ran out the clock for the important conference win.
By the Numbers:
- Fay's eight goals and nine points matched his career high, set last spring against New England College. He added three ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers.
- Dolcimascolo finished with two goals and two assists, while Burke (goal, two assists) and Fleury (two goals, one assist) had three points apiece.
- Freshman Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) chipped in four assists, including three in the fourth quarter alone.
- PSU held a 41-30 advantage in shots and went 22-of-25 in clear attempts.
- Sophomore Leif Charbonneau (Grafton, Mass.) dominated on face-offs, winning 15-of-22. He added a game-high eight ground balls.
- Sophomore Zach Gilvar (Stratham, N.H.) led the way with three caused turnovers.
- Junior Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) made six saves to pick up the win.
- Eastern Connecticut had won the last five regular season matchups.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Salem State for another LEC contest on Tuesday (Apr. 11).
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