PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Nine different players scored as third-seeded Plymouth State University flew past sixth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University, 18-3, in the first round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament at Panther Field on Tuesday evening.
Plymouth State improves to 14-3, extending the program record for wins, and will face second-seeded UMass Boston in a semifinal game on Thursday (May 4). Eastern Connecticut's season comes to an end with a 6-11 mark.
Plymouth State set an early tone as the Panthers raced out to a 3-0 lead in less than three minutes of action. The Warriors made it a two-score game midway through the first, but PSU closed the period with another two scored and the hosts poured in the first five goals of the second quarter to take a commanding 10-2 lead at the half.
PSU controlled the action through the second half and junior
Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) was stingy, making ten saves to set the new school record for goalie wins in a season with 13.
Plymouth State returns to the semifinals for the 17th time in the 22 years of the LEC Tournament.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 18, Eastern Connecticut 3
- Plymouth State (14-3)
- Eastern Connecticut (6-11)
How it Happened:
- Senior Nick Drew (Chelmsford, Mass.) scored twice around a goal from sophomore Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.) as PSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead just 2:52 into the game.
- The Warriors got a goal back midway through the period, but Plymouth State answered with a tally from sophomore Aiden O'Laughlin (Londonderry, N.H.) and freshman Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) scored just before the buzzer for a 5-1 advantage after one.
- Junior Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) opened the second quarter scoring, with senior Jake Dolcimascolo (Georgetown, Mass.) following three minutes later for a 7-1 lead.
- Miner, Dolcimascolo and senior Mike Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) added scores for the home team, but the Warriors responded in the final minute to make it 10-2 at the half.
- Plymouth State scored all three third-period goals, as Fay, Dolcimascolo and Hunt found the back of the cage as the margin ballooned to 13-2 heading to the fourth quarter.
- Drew and Hunt each scored their third goals of the game before sophomore Cole Wallace (South Glastonbury, Conn.) made it 16-2 with four minutes to play.
- Eastern Connecticut got a late goal, but Wallace and sophomore Shea Clark (North Woburn, Mass.) answered to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Dolcimascolo, Drew and Hunt all tallied three goals, with Dolcimascolo adding a pair of assists.
- Miner, Fay and Wallace scored two goals apiece, while senior Karl Flinter (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had a pair of helpers.
- Fifteen different players recorded points for the Panthers.
- Sophomore Leif Charbonneau (Grafton, Mass.) won 10-of-15 faceoffs and added a game-high eight ground balls, while classmate Zach Gilvar (Stratham, N.H.) added six ground balls and three caused turnovers.
- McNichols made ten saves to improve to 13-3 on the season, establishing a new program record for wins.
- Plymouth State held a 40-25 advantage in shots and won the ground ball battle by a 30-19 margin.
- The Panthers advance to the semifinals for the 17th time in the 22 years the LEC has sponsored men's lacrosse.
Up Next:
- The third-seeded Panthers visit second-seeded UMass Boston for a semifinal game on Thursday (May 4) at 1:00 p.m.
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