Box Score HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College junior midfielder
Daniel Varga (Hampton, N.J.) scored seven goals as the NEC men's lacrosse team snapped out of their five-game losing streak with a 15-8 victory over visiting Anna Maria College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Friday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire, giving the Pilgrims their first conference win of the year. The contest was previously scheduled for Saturday but was rescheduled due to projected inclement weather.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 15, Anna Maria 8
Records: Pilgrims 4-5, 1-2 GNAC | AMCATS 4-3, 0-2 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims wasted little time getting on the board as Varga took it in himself for his 24th goal of the season to put the hosts ahead 1-0 just 36 seconds into the game. Later with 6:58 left in the first quarter, the Pilgrims turned to their leading scorer as NEC senior attacker Henri Pfeifle (Darien, Conn.) took a pass from senior midfielder Cole Patterson (Raleigh, N.C.) and shot it home for his 27th goal of the year to increase the lead by two. With just under four minutes remaining in the first, it would again be Varga and Pfeifle scoring back-to-back goals within fifteen seconds of each other, putting the 'Grims ahead 4-1. Finally, with just 6.5 seconds to go in the first, Varga scored his third goal of the game as NEC took a 5-2 lead into the second quarter.
- Early in the second it was NEC senior attacker Matt Daley (Plymouth, Mass.) making an impact early as the senior striker scored his 23rd goal of the season and then found Pfeifle on an assist for his third goal of the game. Senior attacker Thomas Norton (Mansfield, Mass.) later busted free with his tenth goal of the season to put the 'Grims ahead 8-3. NEC led 9-4 at halftime.
- In the third, the AMCATS would start chipping into the lead, as Anna Maria sophomore attacker Eric Farrell (Milford, Mass.) and freshman defenseman Nick Hussa (North Wales, Penn.) scoring back to back goals to pull the visitors to within three. NEC sophomore attacker Duncan Fleming (St. Paul, Minn.) would give the Pilgrims an answer as he beat his defender and shot true with 5:53 remaining in give the hosts a 10-6 lead. With 2:25 left, Hussa scored his third goal of the game to pull the AMCATS back to within three. Finally, with 32.5 remaining in the third, the 'Grims would once again turn to Varga as Daley found his fellow senior for his fifth goal of the game. NEC would enter the final quarter clinging to an 11-7 lead.
- The Pilgrims would step on the gas in the fourth quarter, as NEC junior midfielder Nathan Hawkins (Salisbury, N.H.) found Varga for his sixth goal of the game just 43 seconds in. Then with 11:52 left, Fleming would hit Varga for his seventh goal of the game. With 7:35 remaining, NEC sophomore midfielder Matt O'Rourke (Concord, N.H.) scored his second goal of the season to increase the lead to six, effectively putting the game away.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- With seven goals on the day, Varga increases his season total to 30, taking over the team lead. At press time, Varga ranked second in the GNAC in goals and in assists, leading the conference in points with 49.
- Pfeifle finished with three goals and an assist on the evening.
- NEC sophomore goalkeeper Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) tallied three saves in the first half on the night for the Pilgrims, picking up his first win of the season.
- Anna Maria senior goalkeeper Caden Rakes (Holbrook, Mass.) finished with eight stops for the AMCATS.
- NEC junior long-stick midfielder Jackson Kain (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) continued to control possessions for the 'Grims, finishing with six caused turnovers and four groundballs. Kain currently leads the GNAC with 33 CTs.
- Hussa led the AMCATS with four goals and six ground balls.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Tuesday when they travel up to Northfield, Vermont to play the Cadets of Norwich University in a 4:00 p.m. game.
- Anna Maria plays their next game at Lasell University on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.
