BOX
SCORE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Springfield College men's lacrosse
team put on an incredible offensive show in the opening 15 minutes
of play, scoring 16 goals, as it defeated visiting Babson College,
24-4, in the Pilgrim Lacrosse League Championship semifinals on
Wednesday evening at Stagg Field.
With the win, the Pride will move on to face second-seeded
Wheaton, which downed MIT 14-7 in the other semifinal on Wednesday.
Springfield now stands at 10-6 on the year, while Babson's season
comes to a close with a record of 5-11.
SC set the tone early after Chris Jez won the opening face-off and
connected with Jake Beebe for the game's first goal just five
seconds into the contest. The visitors responded as E.J.
Peterson came from behind the cage and slipped a shot into
the lower corner at the 14:21 mark, evening the contest. However,
the Springfield offense erupted for six unanswered goals to take a
7-1 lead, with Pete Sessa capping the run off a feed from Joe
Macchi.
The Beavers tallied what would be their last goal of the first half
as Bryan Wilbur fired a shot into the cage after
an unsettled situation off the ensuing face-off. The Pride
then poured in eight more goals in the final 6:25 of the first half
to take a commanding 16-2 lead after 15 minutes of play. Nine
different players tallied goals in the first quarter as the Pride
put the semifinal bout out of reach.
Springfield netted four goals in the second quarter, including a
pair from Jarrid Johnson to end the first half leading 21-2. The
second half scoring was slowed down considerably as the teams
combined for just five goals in the last 30 minutes of play.
Thomas Cykana and Paul Grip
recorded goals for the visitors, while Tim Pastore, Mark Eaton, and
Eric Balslov scored for the hosts.
Beebe and Pat Cavanaugh were dominant on attack for the Pride as
each registered eight points in the win. Jez owned the face-off
circle, going 15-17 while scooping up 12 ground balls to go along
with two goals and two assists. Sessa added a goal and two assists
as well from his longstick midfielder position, while Joe Heney
posted a goal and two helpers. Sam Burrell was terrific on defense
as he locked up Babson's top threat, Peterson, forcing five
turnovers and picking up four ground balls.
Tom Albano picked up the win as he played the first half, giving up
two goals and making four saves. Matt Cipolla played in the second
stanza and notched eight saves between the pipes.
Max Owen started and suffered the loss in net for
Babson before giving way to Mike Saucier, who
posted 10 saves. Wilbur finished with two points and added six
ground balls for the Beavers.
NOTE: Taken from a Springfield College press release.
