Statistics

SPARKS GLENCOE, Md. – The University of New England men's lacrosse took an early lead and never looked back on its way to a 14-7 victory over New England College in a neutral-site matchup at Tierney Field at USA Lacrosse  Headquarters.
 
Nikolai Markovich led the Nor'easter offense with four goals and an assist. Colin Watt and Shea Fogarty each added two goals. Andrew Lawrence provided a goal, three assists, six ground balls, and three caused turnovers.
 
Matt Daley put the Pilgrims in front with a goal to start the game, but Fogarty soon answered with a score for UNE to start a three-goal run. Will Szumita and Markovich scored back-to-back to give UNE a 3-1 lead with 4:47 to play in the first quarter. After another NEC tally, Markovich added his second and UNE led 4-2 after one.
 
The Nor'easters (4-3) began to pull away in the second quarter as goals by Markovich, Watt, and Caleb Bowles extended the lead to 7-2 with 6:35 remaining in the half. UNE led 8-3 at halftime.
 
Nathan Hawkins found the back of the net for the Pilgrims (0-5) 1:30 into the second half, but they would not score again until late in the fourth quarter. UNE went on a 6-0 run spanning the third and fourth to jump ahead 14-4 with 5:32 to play. Jordan White, Lawrence and Fogarty each had a goal and assist during the stretch. Joe O'Keefe and Markovich also provided goals. NEC scored the final three goals of the game -- two by Devon Saeger, as well as Daley's second.
 
UNE dominated offensively and outshot the Pilgrims, 47-20. Ben Gowell won 16-of-18 faceoffs and picked up 10 ground balls. Cole Ventimiglia and Chris Gottlieb added three caused turnovers each, and Alex Thoms had four saves to grab the victory in net.
 
Connor Almstrom made 17 saves in the loss for the Pilgrims.
 
UNE visits Maine Maritime on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.