BOSTON, Mass. – Wentworth Institute of Technology used a 7-1 run in the second half to edge past Plymouth State University, 12-8, in a non-conference men's lacrosse game at Sweeney Field on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore
Aiden Renner (Phillipsburg, N.J.) accounted for all three of Plymouth State's early goals as the Panthers took a 3-2 lead early in the second quarter. Wentworth responded with three straight tallies, but senior
Crosby Fay (Thornton, N.H.) answered with three of his own, giving PSU a 6-5 edge with just over 11 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Leopards closed the third with three straight goals, then used a 4-1 run to start the fourth to pull away. Senior
Ryan Jones (Tolland, Conn.) scored late, but the Panthers were unable to claw all the way back.
Plymouth State falls to 3-2, while Wentworth improves to 6-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 8, Wentworth 12
- Plymouth State (3-2)
- Wentworth (6-2)
How it Happened:
- Renner opened the scoring just 1:39 into the game, but Wentworth answered with two goals to take the lead. Renner tied it at 2-2 in the final minutes of the first quarter, then completed his hat trick just 13 seconds into the second to put PSU in front, 3-2.
- The Leopards struck three times in a span of 2:02 to take a 5-3 lead with 11:40 left before halftime.
- Fay converted a man-up opportunity, then added his second goal with 1:07 left in the half to send the teams into the break deadlocked at 5-5.
- Fay found the back of the net again four minutes into the third to give the Panthers a 6-5 lead, but Wentworth tightened up defensively. The hosts closed the quarter on a 3-0 run to carry an 8-6 advantage into the fourth.
- Wentworth extended the lead in the opening minute of the final frame. Fay responded with his fourth goal just six seconds later to make it 9-7, but the Leopards tallied three straight to put the game out of reach.
- Jones capped the scoring with three minutes remaining, but PSU couldn't mount a late rally.
By the Numbers:
- Fay led the Panthers with four goals, bringing his season total to 15 through five games. He also collected five ground balls.
- Renner had a four-point performance with three goals and an assist, while winning 10-of-15 faceoffs and securing a game-high seven ground balls.
- Senior Ryan Collins (Attleboro, Mass.) tallied two assists, while classmate Jake Lusardo (Norwalk, Conn.) picked up four ground balls.
- Seniors Joey Loeber (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Aiden O'Loughlin (Londonderry, N.H.) each recorded two caused turnovers.
- Wentworth held a 39-36 edge in shots and 28-23 advantage in shots on goal.
- PSU converted 15-of-19 clear attempts, while the Leopards went 13-for-19.
- The Panthers won the ground ball battle (36-30) and went 14-9 on faceoffs.
- PSU was 2-for-5 on extra man opportunities, while Wentworth finished 1-for-2.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 4-2, but Wentworth has won the last two meetings by identical 12-8 scores.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Lasell in non-conference action on Wednesday (Mar. 19) at 4:00 p.m.
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