Golden Bears Storm Past Nor'easters, Improve to 2-0 in CCC Play

BIDDEFORD, Maine (April, 2023) - The Western New England Men 's Lacrosse team traveled up to Maine to resume CCC play today, as they took on the University of New England Nor'easters. Led by Dylan Hanley on attack with 11 points, the Golden Bears beat the Nor'easters 18-9.

Records:

• Western New England: 3-7, 2-0 CCC
• University of New England: 4-4, 1-1 CCC

How it Happened:

Western New England dominated the first quarter, as they would score seven unanswered goals over the first 15 minutes of play. Following the opening faceoff win by Chris Catuosco, Mike Bannon found Jack Houlden for the opening goal of the game, in just 14 seconds of play. A few minutes later, Alex Henry forced a turnover on defense, that lead to Houlden's second goal of the game. 31 seconds later, Dylan Hanley found Houlden, to put WNE up 3-0. Hanley would add another point soon after, this time coming from a goal, coming from Bannon. Zachary Mein netted the Golden Bears fifth goal with 7:29 left in the first quarter. Following another Catuosco faceoff win, Bannon found Noah Rust for another Golden Bear goal. Three and a half minutes later, after TJ Dalicandro caused a turnover, Rust found Hanley to put the Golden Bears up 7-0.

To start the second, WNE continue to apply the pressure, following a Carter Randall save in net for the Golden Bears, Rust found Hanley again, to open up the scoring in the second quarter. Catuosco won the ensuing faceoff, and made a pass to Bannon, who would net another WNE goal. 50 seconds later, Thomas Labbe would net WNE's tenth consecutive goal, coming from Hanley. Both teams would trade possessions for the next six minutes, before Ryan Hazard would sneak a goal past Randall for the Nor'easters. WNE answered the Nor'easters goal soon after, as Labbe caused a turnover, collected the ground ball and sound the back of the net, to put WNE up 11-1. 31 seconds later, Hanley would follow in Labbe's shoes, forcing a turnover, collecting the ground ball, and scoring a goal, as well. Sean Farland would win the ensuing faceoff, which would lead to the last goal of the first half, as Hanley found Houlden again. WNE went into halftime up 13-1 on UNE.

The third quarter was the lowest scoring quarter on the day, as only four goals would be scored over the 15 minutes of play. To open the third, WNE would keep firing shots on net. Nor'Easter goalie, Evan Hazard, made two saves, before Houlden would fire a shot past him to open the scoring in the third. Evan Hazard made another save in net and would lead to a Nor'Easter goal by Chris Gottlieb. Less than a minute later, WNE answered back, as James Wrynn caused a turnover, leading to Hanley finding Houlden for a goal. UNE answered four minutes later, as Gottlieb picked up an assist as Collin Jackson scored for the Nor'easters. Neither team would score over the course of the rest of the quarter, as Evan Hazard made three saves and Randall made one, to keep the score 15-3 heading into the fourth quarter.

WNE opened the fourth quarter with a Farland faceoff win, where soon after, Rust found Hanley to put WNE up by 14. UNE answered a minute later as Colin Watt picked found the ball after a Randall save and fired a shot past him for a Nor'Easter goal. UNE would go on to score three more goals in a row, coming from Gavin Tanis, Jordan White, and Shea Fogarty. After Fogarty's goal, Rocco DeSimone would win the faceoff for WNE, which would lead to a Tim Kolb goal, from Hanley. Hanley would pick up another point, scoring a goal four and a half minutes later. UNE would score the final two goals of the game, coming from Joe O'Keefe and Finn McCoy. The Golden Bears would win the contest 18-9.

 Inside The Crease:

• WNE improved to 2-0 in CCC play on the season.
• Dylan Hanley led WNE's offense on the day with 11 points (six goals and five assists).
• Michael Knapp caused four turnovers on the day.
• WNE had 54 ground balls, compared to 35 by UNE.
• WNE went 20-31 on faceoffs, led by Chris Catuosco going 11-13.
• The Nor'easters were led by three points from Ryan Hazard (one goal and two assists).

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will host Curry College on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m.
• The University of New England will travel to Wentworth Institute of Technology on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m.