HENNIKER, N.H. - New England College Men's Lacrosse concluded their season with a 9-6 loss to the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks on Tuesday.
The Monks got on the board after ten scoreless minutes as they struck twice in 47 seconds to jump to a 2-0 lead. After being held scoreless in the first, the Pilgrims would start to come back, as freshman Shane Helman (Parma, Ohio) found the back of the net to cut the lead in half. Freshman Owen Taylor (Lanesborough, Mass.) also scored to tie the game.
The Pilgrims would take the lead about halfway through the second as junior Brody McGonigle (Concord, N.H.) took a pass from Taylor and buried the shot for the 3-2 lead. Two minutes later, the Monks would strike back with two quick goals to jump ahead 4-3.
Helman and graduate Evan Zonderman (Dracut, Mass.) found the back of the net to put the Pilgrims up 5-4 before two quick goals at the end of the half gave the Monks a 6-5 lead at the break.
After falling behind 8-5, McGonigle scored again, but a steady Monks defense held down the lead to complete the three-goal win.
McGonigle and Taylor were tied for the team lead with three points apiece in the loss.
Junior Nick McCarthy (Merrimack, N.H.) and junior goalie Nate Finn (Norwood, Mass.) both scooped up five ground balls as McGonigle, Taylor, and Zonderman each recorded four.
Seven Pilgrims forced multiple turnovers as Finn, freshman Hunter Knice (Red Bank, N.J.), senior Ethan LaHaye (Grantham, N.H.), and junior Jakub Rusina (Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic) all recorded two apiece.
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