NORTON, MA- Lasell’s senior attackman Brian Yepez (Hillsborough, NJ) netted five goals and unloaded three assists to spearhead a 12-10 Pilgrim League men’s lacrosse victory over hosting Wheaton College on Wednesday at Mirrione Stadium. The neck-in-neck contest never allowed for more than a three-goal lead at any point, and gave way to five ties over 46 minutes and 39 seconds before the Lasers scored three-of-four final goals to produce the final outcome.
Junior goalkeeper Eric Walsh (Weymouth, MA) spent all sixty minutes between the pipes turning aside nine Lyon shots. The Lasers took advantage of a potent extra-man offense, going 5-for-7 in man-up opportunities, while handing over just one chance to Wheaton on a single technical penalty in the third quarter. Lasell’s defense did not allow Wheaton to benefit from the opportunity.
In addition to Yepez, a half-dozen other Lasers made a mark on the scoreboard. Junior Chris Bulkley (Groton, CT) maneuvered two goals and an assist while classmate Sean Speciale (Hillsborough, NJ) lodged one goal aided with two helpers. Freshman Andy Puoplo (Duxbury, MA) and junior Sam Wilcox (Norfolk, MA) chipped in with two points and Jon Elia (East Lyme, CT) and Adam Foss (Billerica, MA) tallied a marker apiece. Foss’ goal would be recorded as the game-winner, scored with 10:55 left in the final stanza.
Also contributing to Lasell’s victory was Anthony Erz (Hampton, NJ) who won on 62% of his face-off attempts, going 15-for-24 in the contest.
Wheaton twice held a one-goal lead in the first quarter, but Yepez’s second goal of the match, with 37 seconds on the clock, put Lasell in front, 4-3. Lyon junior Bobby Barry (Duxbury, MA) produced the fourth tie to make it 4-4, early in the second quarter, but the Lasers’ extra-man unit made good on a three-minute penalty with a 3-0 run. Bulkley gave Lasell an 8-5 lead at the half with a last second unassisted tally.
A 4-1 Wheaton streak opened the second half of play, and a quick unassisted goal by Warren Garceau (Guilford, CT) in the fourth provided the hosts with a nine-all tie. Another well-executed play on a penalty possession led to Lasell’s 10th goal, scored by Yepez at 11:35, and Foss found the back of the net with just forty seconds between goals to give Lasell the necessary lead. Bulkley completed the scoring with 4:27 left in the game.
The Lyons slipped to 4-6 overall and 2-2 in the league, while the Lasers are 3-10 overall and 2-3 in the Pilgrim.
Lasell’s men’s lacrosse team will continue to compete in Pilgrim League play when they host Norwich University on Saturday, April 24th at 1:00 p.m. on Grellier Field.