PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The New England College men's lacrosse team were on the road for a showdown at Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island.
 

THE BASICS
Score:   New England College 10, Johnson & Wales University 11
Records:              Pilgrims 2-8, 1-4 GNAC | Wildcats 7-3, 5-0 GNAC
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Wildcats jumped out onto the scoreboard in just seven seconds of play in the first quarter scored by freshman Jacob Graham (Gorham, Maine) assisted by graduate Mike Catuosco (Commack, N.Y.).
• NEC managed to even things up shortly after at 11:54 with the goal credited to senior midfielder Joey Olsen (Mansfield, Mass.) from junior attacker Thomas Norton (Mansfield, Mass.).
• JWU took control of the remainder of the quarter as they found ways to score an extra three goals to gain a 4-1 lead.
• The scoring in the second quarter began to slow down as it took 7:52 to score a goal as it was claimed by the Wildcats continuing to expand on their making it a 5-1 game at 7:08. NEC then with no time wasted shedding just a little more than a minute off the clock at 6:03 bouncing back in retaliation to the previous JWU after freshman midfielder Duncan Fleming (St. Paul, Minn.) got himself into the scoring mix with his goal, 5-2.
• JWU tacked on yet another goal that was shortly responded by NEC having the answer for the goal and was bestowed to the team's leading scorer in junior attacker Henri Pfeifle (Darien, Conn.) with the team being down by three goals going into halftime, 6-3.
• Things started out in favor of the Wildcats only taking off 15 seconds on the clock in the third quarter scoring a goal but then at 7:42 senior attacker Matt Daley (Plymouth, Mass.) took matters into his own hands willing the team back into the game keeping the deficit to within three, 7-4.
• The scoring was back-and-forth throughout the quarter, the final NEC goal of the quarter was contributed by Pfeifle, but JWU had control of the quarter taking the four-goal lead going into the final quarter of play, 9-5.
• With the 'Grims backs are against wall going into the fourth quarter they responded in a big way as they darted first to get a goal onto the scoreboard by none other than Pfeifle assisted by Fleming to get things started.
• Later on, at 6:46 was the start of a surging run produced by NEC attempting a massive rally back into the game contributing four consecutive goals that tied things up with 3:56 remaining in the game, 10-10.
• With just seconds left in the game things were coming down to the wire with overtime possibilities in the works if neither team couldn't score the final goal but that wouldn't end up being the case as the Wildcats found the back of the net with 12 seconds left on the clock that the 'Grims could not find an answer for with the win being earned by JWU in a triumphant effort put together by the 'Grims, 11-10.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Norton of NEC finished with two goals and two assists ending with four points along with Fleming that compiled one goal and three assists earning four points as well on the day.
• Donny Mclnnis (North Haven, conn.) was a force for JWU causing havoc on the offensive side of the field with six goals having six points and Graham followed up with a four-point outing totaling up three goals and an assist.
• NEC freshman goalkeeper Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) gathered 10 saves in the cage.
• JWU Chris April (Mansfield, Mass.) had six saves that awarded the senior with the win.
• NEC had a solid performance with their clears as they went 21-for-28 as the Wildcats went 13-for-22.
• Groundballs proved to be a struggle for NEC, only able to secure 28 while JWU had 40.
• Shots were in favor of the Wildcats who tallied up 40 compared to the 'Grims 36 taken.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Wednesday, April 10^th as they remain on the road for another conference matchup against the AMCATS of Anna Maria College at 5:00 p.m. from Caparso Field.
• JWU plays their next game at Elms College from Timothy J. Leary Field on Wednesday, April 10^th at 4:00 p.m.

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