PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A fourth-quarter surge by Johnson & Wales is enough, as they edge the New England College Men's Lacrosse team 7-6 in non-conference action, Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Score: Johnson & Wales 7, New England College 6

Records: Pilgrims (1-1, 0-0 NECC) | Wildcats (1-1, 0-0 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

New England College was the first team to strike, as Connor Smith opened the scoring at the 8:02 mark. Ninety seconds later, Johnson & Wales evened up the game, as Tyler Drago scored the equalizer. In the second quarter, Andrew Vasile gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead, but TJ Nong tied the game with his third score of the year. Thomas Norton gave the 'Grims a 3-2 lead heading into the intermission, as he found the back of the net with 6:20 remaining in the second.

Both teams traded scores from the break, as Quint Bartush and Lucas Ferreira struck for NEC, while Drago scored twice for JWU. With New England College leading entering the final quarter, the Wildcats scored three straight goals to go up 7-5. Ferreira would get the Pilgrims within one (7-6), but the Wildcats would run out the final 3:01 to seal the game for Johnson & Wales.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Connor Almstrom recorded 17 saves in the crease for NEC.
• JWU outshot NEC 40-33 on the day.
• The Wildcats won 10-of-17 faceoffs while also winning the groundball battle (31-18).
• New England College leads the all-time series 2-1.

UP NEXT

• NEC vs. Emmanuel, Wednesday, March 2, 4:00 pm
• JWU vs. Eastern Connecticut, Wednesday, March 2, 4:00 pm