HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's lacrosse team opened their 2023 season with a 13-12 loss to visiting Anna Maria College in non-conference action on Wednesday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Anna Maria 13, New England College 12
Records: Pilgrims 0-1| AMCATS 1-2
TOP 'GRIMS
- In his first career game for NEC, junior-transfer attacker Matt Daley (Plymouth, Mass.) posted a haul of four goals. Senior midfielder Devon Saeger (Chester Springs, Penn.) and senior attacker Sam Crary (Newburyport, Mass.) both came through with hat tricks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The visitors would strike first just 3:50 into the game when sophomore attacker Brennan Fields (Chicopee, Mass.) found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season as the AMCATS went up 1-0.
- The 'Grims would soon answer. Daley would score the first Pilgrim goal of the season just 57 seconds later, assisted by Saeger.
- NEC would pull ahead to take a 3-1 lead before going into the half tied 4-4 against Anna Maria.
- The quarter would continue to be hotly contested, as the 'Grims went ahead early on a goal from Crary only to fall behind 6-5 on a shot from AMCATS' junior attacker Ethan Quinn (Dudley, Mass.) with 11:29 to go.
- With their backs against the wall in their season opener, the Pilgrims surged back over the final minutes of the third quarter, with a goal from junior midfielder Thomas Doe (Windham, N.H.), the first career goal for freshman midfielder Nathan Hawkins (Salisbury, N.H.) and repeat goals from Daley and Saeger as they went up 9-6.
- In the fourth quarter, Anna Maria would answer, finally tying it up at 11-11 with 6:23 left in the game off a goal from sophomore attacker Hank Gittines (Shrewsbury, N.J.).
- With 5:11, NEC appeared sunk when they were tacked with three penalties to give the visitors a critical advantage. The 'Grims penalty-killing defense would answer the call, however, ending the threat.
- With both teams tightly contesting every ball, Anna Maria would finally break through as junior team captain Tommy Girard (Newbury, Mass.) scored his second goal of the game to give the AMCATS their first lead since the early third quarter. An insurance goal from Gittines proved to be the game winner as an NEC goal from Crary with three seconds left couldn't change the final outcome.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC sophomore goalie Connor Almstrom (Cumberland, R.I.) tallied 19 saves in net for the 'Grims.
- Anna Maria sophomore goalie Matthew Peicker (Bedford, N.H.) finished with 14 stops for the AMCATS.
- Overall shots were 42-38 in favor of Anna Maria.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they play host to UMass Boston in a 1:00 p.m. game.
- Anna Maria plays their next game at the Merchant Marine Academy at 12:00 p.m.
