Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior Sam Cloutier scored four times and assisted on another as the University of New England men's lacrosse team led from start-to-finish in an 8-5 victory over Plymouth State University on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 7) at the Big Blue Turf.

The Nor'easters (2-1), who were out-shot by a 42-26 margin, received 10 saves from sophomore goalie David Pearson upon entering the contest at halftime. Junior John Dusel made three 1st-half stops to help the hosts to a 4-2 edge at the midway mark.

For the Panthers (1-1), senior Aaron Boss matched Cloutier with four goals. Classmate C.J. Frates had a pair of assists.

Cloutier and sophomore Andrew Curro got UNE off to a 2-0 start before Boss put the visitors on the board. Big Blue senior Geoff Bruno and Cloutier upped the cushion to 4-1 until Boss cut the spread to two at the end of 15 minutes. The teams went without any scoring in the 2nd period.

After trading scores through the 3rd frame, when sophomore Dan Auger (UNE) and senior Nick Morello (PSU) found the back of cage for their respective sides, Boss pulled the Panthers to within 6-5 on the initial tally of the 4th.

Curro and Cloutier padded the Nor'easters advantage with 7:46 and 5:09 on the clock, and Pearson preserved the spread down the stretch.

Big Blue senior Steven Hughes had a team-high five ground balls and game-best seven caused turnovers to support the defensive effort.

UNE stays at home and will face Saint Joseph's College (Maine) on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Plymouth State, which got six saves from senior Chris St. George, heads to Lasell College on Wednesday (3 p.m.).