WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The New England College men's lacrosse team was scored on early and could not get back within reach at the University of Saint Joseph in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon at the USJ Athletics Complex in West Hartford, Connecticut. 

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 4, University of Saint Joseph 22 
Records: Pilgrims 0-4, 0-1 GNAC | Blue Jays 6-1, 2-0 GNAC 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• USJ had set the tone early and throughout the first quarter as they connected on the first five scores in the game and did not look back from there. Senior midfielder Sam Barbetti (Guilford, Conn.) and sophomore midfielder Nick Pestrichello (Newington, Conn.) were the main enforcers as they each chipped in two goals. NEC sophomore long-stick midfielder Jackson Kain (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) would not let his team end the first period of play scoreless as he slung in a clean shot off a pass from junior attacker Thomas Norton (Mansfield, Mass.) to end the quarter 5-1. 
• The second quarter had no mercy on the 'Grims as the Blue Jays would commence a 10-0 run with the first six leading into halftime. USJ's Pestrichello put in a couple more goals in this 15-minute segment along with running mate senior attacker Evan Baden (Burlington, Conn.) with a couple of man-up goals to rally the home team to a 13-1 halftime lead. 
• Coming out after the break, USJ continued their momentum as they did in half number one by putting in two straight goals until NEC junior attacker and Connecticut native Henri Pfeifle (Darien, Conn.) halted the monstrous Blue Jay run as he flung in a 7-meter shot that bounced around the goal post and in as senior midfielder Joey Olsen (Mansfield, Mass.) was credited for the assist. USJ would pick up speed again with four more scores to end the third quarter with a 19-2 lead. The Blue Jays got yet another two-man-two-goal quarter with junior midfielder Christian Decker (Bristol, Conn.) and senior attacker Ryan Paltauf (Southbury, Conn.) with the honors. 
• Things started to regress in the final period of play as USJ started the fourth quarter with two scoring drives to bring the lead up to 21-2. Playing far behind, NEC ended on a 2-1 run in the final 10:55 headlined by a sneak-in goal from senior midfielder Thomas Doe (Windham, N.H.) after a long pass from Norton and a nice quick put-back shot from senior attacker Matt Daley (Plymouth, Mass.) to end the day with the Blue Jays winning 22-4. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• USJ senior goalkeeper Trey McCann (Simsbury, Conn.) held his ground thoroughly throughout the day as he logged in nine saves in over 50 minutes of action. 
• NEC freshman goalkeeper Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) recorded three saves in his 30 minutes of play. 
• It was a one-sided affair as the Blue Jays had a 54-31 advantage on total shots taken. 
• USJ also won the faceoff battle 18-11. 
• NEC was 16/22 on successful clear attempts to the Blue Jays' perfect 20/20 on clears. 
• USJ's Baden was the the catalyst for his team as he tallied four goals, an assist, and four ground balls. 
• Doe was the player of the day for the 'Grims as he recorded a goal and a season-high in 11 ground balls. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the field on Wednesday, March 20th when they host the Fighting Scots of Gordon College at Don Melander Field with opening faceoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. 
• USJ plays their next game at their home field on Wednesday, March 20th against the Nichols College Bison at 4:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.