Box Score

HENNIKER, N.H. -- Senior John Gabriel (West Nyack, N.Y.) tallied season-highs in both assists (6) and points (12) to lead New England College in an 18-10 victory over the University of New England in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's lacrosse action Wednesday afternoon at Don Melander Field.

Winners of 10 of their last 11, the Pilgrims improve to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in conference games. The Nor'easters, who suffered just their second setback in the last eight outings, fall back to 8-8 on the year (4-5 TCCC).

Gabriel scored half of his six goals in the second quarter, as the hosts pushed a 1-0 advantage after one up to a 9-2 cushion by intermission. The teams played near even the rest of the way, with NEC holding a 5-3 edge in the third and UNE taking the fourth period (5-4).

Senior Matt Carey (Medford, Mass.) contributed three goals and an assists for the Pilgrims, who finished on top of a 47-33 margin in shots. Three others chipped in with two markers.

Junior Jake Flynn (Merrimack, N.H.) won 17-of-28 face-offs on the day for NEC, and classmate Nick Aquaviva (Syracuse, N.Y.) posted nine saves to earn the win, as the Pilgrims clinch a home game for the first round the upcoming league tournament.

The Nor'easters were led by senior Michael Woods (Kittery Point, Maine), who registered three goals and an assist. Classmate Steve Smith (Walpole, Mass.) and junior Michael Pennacchio (Peabody, Mass.) added in two goals apiece.

In goal for UNE, junior Nate Porter (Cohasset, Mass.) and sophomore Jay Letendre (Southington, Conn.) split time to record four and three stops, respectively.

Both teams are off until next week. New England College returns to action on Tuesday (Apr. 26) at Gordon College, while the Nor'easters head to Salve Regina University of Wednesday (Apr. 27).