BOSTON, Mass. - New England College Men's Lacrosse took a tough 12-6 loss to Emmanuel College on Wednesday night.
The Pilgrims took an early lead as freshman Shane Helman (Parma, Ohio) found the back of the net just 1:10 into the game. Emmanuel's Cole Cloney scored twice within a minute to give the Saints a 2-1 lead. Junior Matt O'Rourke (Concord, N.H.) tied the game for the Pilgrims halfway through the quarter before a late goal by Cloney gave the Saints a 3-2 lead heading into the second. Emmanuel scored twice in the second quarter to bring a 5-2 lead into the half.
After a quick goal from the Saints to start the second half, O'Rourke answered back with a goal of his own to keep Emmanuel's lead within three. Another goal from O'Rourke and another from junior Brody McGonigle (Concord, N.H.) kept the Pilgrims only down four heading into the fourth.
It only took McGonigle a minute and a half to score and cut the Saints' lead to three before Cloney netted twice more to extend the lead to five and allow Emmanuel to come away with the victory.
O'Rourke led the Pilgrims with three goals as McGonigle netted two. McGonigle led the team with three assists. Freshman Owen Taylor (Lanesborough, Mass.) followed close behind with two.
Freshman Hunter Knice (Red Bank, N.J.) scooped up eight ground balls as graduate Evan Zonderman (Dracut, Mass.) picked up six.
Knice and junior Nick McCarthy (Merrimack, N.H.) each forced two turnovers while junior goalie Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) made 13 saves.
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